POONCH: A meeting of the District Development Council (DDC) Poonch was today convened here in the Conference Hall, Dak Bungalow with DDC Chairperson Tazeem Akhter in the chair. The meeting reviewed the physical and financial progress under the last year’s Capex budget and initiated discussions on plan formulation for the upcoming financial year 2025–26.

Additional District Development Commissioner Pankaj Magotra, who also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Council, welcomed the participants and set the tone for focused and outcome-oriented deliberations.

Chief Planning Officer Mohammad Rafi delivered a detailed PowerPoint presentation on the achievements under the Capex Budget 2024–25. He also outlined the preliminary framework and sectoral priorities proposed for the 2025–26 financial plan, seeking suggestions and inputs from the Council Members.

The DDC Members raised demands of respective constituencies and highlighted issues pertaining to the Jal Jeevan Mission, ground water availability, Rural Development works, school education infrastructure, and power supply. Emphasis was laid on addressing implementation bottlenecks, ensuring timely project execution, and improving inter-departmental coordination.

The District heads of line departments provided updates on the status of works, implementation timelines and responded to the department specific issues raised by the council members. It was decided that the council shall reconvene after 20 days to review updates and progress on the issues and decisions discussed in the   meeting.

The Chairperson underscored the importance of aligning departmental functioning with grassroots level priorities and stressed the need for collective efforts to achieve inclusive and efficient development outcomes across the district.

The meeting was attended by DDC Vice Chairperson Mohammad Ashfaq and DDC Members Riyaz Bashir Naz (Loran), Shahnawaz Choudhary (Surankote-A), Ch Abdul Ghani (Poonch), Wajid Bashir (Mendhar-B), Riyaz Ahmed (Bufliaz), and Mian Farooq Baji (Mendhar-A). They gave valuable suggestions for enhancing the effectiveness of development interventions across the district.

The meeting concluded with a consensus to adopt a collaborative and accountable approach for strengthening the district’s development landscape in the coming financial year.

Your voice can reach the world: At JK Monitor, we firmly believe that every well-researched idea has the power to inspire change beyond geographical boundaries. We are delighted to share an encouraging message from one of our esteemed contributors, Dr. Rakesh Verma (J&K Forest Services). “His article, ‘When Trees Become Rights-Bearing Citizens: A Lesson from Canada for India’s Ecological Future,’ published on JK Monitor, received appreciation from La Compagnie des Papillons Bleus, the French non-profit organisation that founded and promotes the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights.”.  Read the message here
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

       LOOK_HERE.jpg Esteemed readers, for your convenience, we have categorized our news publishing into following 👇