Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday expressed his gratitude to all citizens for their valuable contribution in the development of the union territory to meet the aspirations of society.
“Awaam Ki Awaaz” completes one year. This radio programme for public participation is committed to strengthen Jan Bhagidari at the grassroots level and to establish accountable, transparent, responsive, effective, efficient, equitable and inclusive governance,” said Sinha.
“Through “Awaam Ki Awaaz”, which is being aired on all local and primary channels of All India Radio (AIR) in the UT and broadcast on DD Kashir, “we have received numerous suggestions for reforms in health, education, rural-urban development, cultural rejuvenation and balanced regional development etc.
The administration has taken concrete steps on suggestions received from listeners to meet the needs of the community and making the system accountable to the public. I also thank Jammu and Kashmir All India Radio and Doordarshan for their continuous support,” he added.
During this month’s episode, Sinha made a special mention of Sandhya Dhar from Jammu, Nasira Akhtar of Kulgam and Dr Nasheeman Ashraf of Srinagar who have emerged as new age icons for the women of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Their achievements give a vision to women who aspire to inspire,” he said.
Referring to the suggestions of Shradha Sharma from RS Pura Jammu and Anantnag’s Zakir Hussain Bhat on empowering women entrepreneurs in the agriculture sector and ensuring participation of women in all sectors, the Lt Governor underlined the need to implement dedicated measures for women empowerment.
“When women are financially prosperous, their direct and indirect benefits will reach the family, society, nation and the entire humanity. In the last two years, Jammu and Kashmir administration has launched several campaigns to provide more livelihood opportunities to women folks,” Sinha said.
In order to increase the participation of women entrepreneurs in agriculture and village industries, about five lakh women have been added to the Umeed program. Various programs like Krishi Sakhi and Pashu Sakhi have been initiated so that more and more women come forward in agriculture, horticulture and the dairy sector, he added.
Welcoming suggestions from Sajjad Noorabadi of Kulgam, the Lt Governor said the main objective of the Block Diwas program organised every Wednesday is to take the administration to the doorsteps of people.
“It is our best effort that in addition to the immediate redressal of the problems of the common citizens, the people shall be informed about the various government schemes,” he added.
While mentioning about the insight received from Dr Shilpi Sharma and Dr Ankur Bhat from Jammu regarding a detailed roadmap for the digitisation of healthcare, Sinha informed about various reforms introduced by the government. He also made a mention about a pilot project in SKIMS for online appointment, which will be soon extended to other hospitals as well.
In the last month, keeping in mind the expansion of digital services in Jammu and Kashmir, “we have taken several important decisions. Under the Prime Minister's Digital Health Mission, we are aiming to create an online appointment facility, besides digitising medical records of the patients. Online appointment in all hospitals & digitisation of health services to be taken up in mission mode,” he added.
Responding to suggestions of Gazi Ahmad Pandit from Pulwama and Rahul Kumar from Samba regarding the welfare of senior citizens, the Lt Governor said that a National Action Plan was approved in April 2020 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide senior citizens with opportunities to live their lives with dignity.
After August 5, 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also implemented the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act in Jammu and Kashmir, which, despite having been passed by the Parliament, has not been implemented in Jammu and Kashmir for almost twelve years. Last year, we provided pensions to a total of nine lakh people including the poor and senior citizens under various schemes. I also assure every support by the government to voluntary organizations working for the welfare of senior citizens, Sinha added.
Er. Abdul Rashid Bhat from Ganderbal wrote a letter regarding creation of an Environment, Cultural and Archaeological Research Centre (ECARC) in JK that will engage with youth.
The Lt Governor also highlighted the transformation taking place on the ground as a result of good administrative practices.
The ambitious plan to develop Budgam’s Kanihama village, famous for its Kani shawls, into a craft tourism village is now in its final stages. Also, the scheme to provide affordable accommodation at Doodhpathri that was pending for many years has been completed.
He praised the Bandipora district administration for its innovative digital intervention to track Panchayat developments. The district has taken the lead in starting the Panchayat Development Index, which ranks each panchayat on the basis of their performance.
The farmers of Qamarwari, Srinagar, have witnessed manifold increase in their income after creation of market linkages. The district administration is also setting up a Farmer Produce Organisation (FPO) in Tengpora Block to promote vegetable farming, said Sinha.
“Every district must replicate the good practices of other districts and make concerted efforts to bring about a positive change in the lives of people,” the Lt Governor said.