DC Kupwara chairs mega Block Diwas at border area Keran

• Public outreach programme receives immense public response

KUPWARA: In order to ensure good governance at the door steps of people and to take stock of progress of developmental activities in Keran, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kupwara, Ayushi Sudan today chaired the proceedings of mega Block Diwas at Higher Secondary School ground Keran.

District Officers, Engineers, Sectoral Officers, Tehsil level officers, prominent citizens and  a large number of local residents from different villages of Keran attended the public out-reach programme.

On occasion, public as well as Ex. PRIs from various villages of Keran including  Mandyan, Kalus, Patru, Keran Payeen, Keran Bala, Kundyan, Mandow and other habitations primarily raised the demands of Smart classrooms in higher secondary school, science laboratory, fencing  for higher secondary school, separate washroom facilities for male and female tourists, street lights,  upgradation of NTPHC Keran to SDH and providing of x-ray machine and dental chair facilities, ATM and up gradation of mobile connectivity network in the area.

After giving patient hearing to the public and Ex. PRIs, the DC assured that all their genuine demands shall be looked into on priority. While chairing the proceedings of Block Diwas, DC said space for parking, street lights, ornamental lights, smart classes, laboratory for higher secondary school Keran has been planned in the budget and these projects will be started during the current financial year.

“To promote tourism in the area, a beautiful river front will be constructed at the main location at Keran for tourists. Mobile network connectivity is being upgraded in Keran, and land for BSNL tower has been identified which shall be soon commissioned,” DC said.

On the occasion, the DC inspected class rooms and IT Lab of Higher Secondary school Keran where she interacted with staff and students. She expressed concern over the defunct IT lab of the institute and directed the concerned Principal to make it fully functional so that computers and other IT infrastructure are not wasted and students can learn the computers.

Expressing displeasure over low enrollment and low attendance of students in schools of Keran, DC appealed to the parents and civil society to play a vital role in ensuring the children of Keran attend schools regularly. She said that investing in the education of children of border areas like Keran is not only a matter of equity but also a strategic priority for overall development of the area.

Ayushi said that on every Saturday and Sunday on an average 1500 to 2000 tourists visit Keran which is a plus point. Fish farming, Poultry, Sheep and opening guest houses can significantly boost the tourism sector at Keran, and by integrating these activities into the tourism sector, the area can create diverse attractions and boost the local economy.

The DC urged the unemployed youth to come forward and take benefits of HADP and other self employment schemes of the government and establish their own ventures. She stressed on the concerned officers to take all possible measures to accelerate the pace of all ongoing works for their time-bound completion and directed for regular monitoring of works.

The DC inspected stalls of different departments and was acquainted with the schemes and programmes of various departments being implemented in this area. She also inspected the Dak-Bungalow Keran and instructed the concerned engineers to renovate and upgrade it on modern lines.

The DC was accompanied by ACD /DIO Kupwara, CPO Kupwara,CEO, OC Beacon, EXen REW, District Sheep Husbandry Officer, DYSSO,Tehsildar Keran, SHO  and other district and sectoral officers.

The DC along with engineers inspected the pace of work on the Keran Bridge, which will act as a lifeline for Keran. She also inspected ongoing work of the vital road from Datt Bridge to Keran which is being executed by Beacon authorities.