POONCH: District Development Commissioner Poonch Ashok Kumar Sharma today chaired an extensive and detailed review meeting to assess the progress of developmental activities in the Aspirational Block Mankote. The meeting was held at the Community Hall Mankote and attended by the concerned officers.

At the outset, Ajaz Ahmed, Aspirational Block Programme Fellow (ABPF) delivered a comprehensive presentation outlining the progress achieved under various Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The review covered critical sectors including Health & Nutrition, Education, Agriculture & Allied Activities, Financial Inclusion, Social Welfare and Basic Infrastructure.

The DDC conducted a rigorous and sector-wise review, assessing both physical and financial progress across departments. He emphasized the need for intensified efforts to achieve saturation of all indicators under the Aspirational Block Programme and stressed timely and efficient implementation of all government schemes at the grassroots level.

In the Health & Nutrition sector, the DDC directed the Health Department and ICDS to scale up NCD screening, ensure early registration of pregnant women, strengthen maternal and child healthcare services and conduct regular health camps to improve outreach, especially in remote areas.

Reviewing the Education sector, the DDC stressed improving learning outcomes, ensuring regular attendance, minimizing dropout rates and strengthening digital education initiatives. He directed the concerned officers to closely monitor academic performance and ensure effective utilization of available infrastructure and resources.

In Agriculture and allied activities, the DDC emphasized enhanced farmer outreach, saturation of schemes such as PM-KISAN and Kisan Credit Card (KCC), promotion of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and strengthening allied sectors including livestock and dairy to improve rural livelihoods.

While reviewing Financial Inclusion, he laid special emphasis on ensuring 100% coverage under banking and insurance schemes, urging banks and line departments to work in close coordination for achieving targets within stipulated timelines.

The DDC further stressed the importance of inter-departmental convergence, real-time monitoring and accountability. He instructed all departments to adopt a proactive, field-oriented approach and ensure that the benefits of various welfare schemes reach the last mile beneficiaries.

The meeting witnessed participation from all concerned departments and officers, including SDM Mendhar, Assistant Commissioner Development Poonch, Tehsildar Mankote, BDO Mankote, DSEO Mankote, Deputy Chief Education Officer, LDM Bank, TSO Mankote and CDPO Mendhar, along with officers and officials from Health, Education, Agriculture, ICDS and other line departments.

The officers present actively participated in the discussion and apprised the chair about the progress and challenges in their respective sectors. Concluding the meeting, the DDC reiterated the administration’s firm commitment to transforming Mankote into a model Aspirational Block and directed all departments to work with dedication, coordination and accountability to achieve tangible and measurable outcomes on the ground.

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In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family
A Profound Loss: JK Monitor Mourns the Passing of Founding Chairman Dr. Priya Ranjan

We at JK Monitor are profoundly saddened by the sudden demise of our Founding Chairman, Dr. Priya Ranjan.IN LOVING MEMORY Dr Priya Ranjan

A brilliant mind who studied at Netarhat Residential School and graduated in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur before earning his PhD from the University of Maryland, Dr. Ranjan chose to return to India and dedicate his life to teaching, research and social good.

His pioneering work in networked systems, AI, robotics and biomedical applications—especially computer-vision tools for early detection of cancer and heart disease—reflected his deep belief that advanced technology must serve humanity.

For more than 15 years at JK Monitor, he remained a loyal friend, mentor and collaborator, marked by rare humility, intellectual integrity and quiet generosity. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Priya, you will be deeply missed. Your life continues to remind us that knowledge finds its highest purpose in the service of others.

— Team JK Monitor

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