RAJOURI, OCTOBER 02: Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma, today presided over a Special Gram Sabha under Reform Utsav at Pukherni, a Vibrant Village situated near LoC in Sub Division Nowshera, reaffirming the District Administration’s commitment to inclusive development and strengthening grassroots governance in border areas.
The Gram Sabha was attended by ADC Nowshera Pritam Lal Thapa, Akash Garg IAS, Nodal officer Agristack, ACD Sheraz Chowhan, BDO Nowshera, officers of various line departments, public representatives and local residents.
Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Commissioner emphasised that Gram Sabhas must function as effective platforms for direct interaction between the administration and the people, enabling villagers to identify their development priorities, raise local issues and actively participate in decisions concerning their Panchayats.
He stressed that border villages deserve focused attention and that geographical location should not become a barrier to accessing quality public services, infrastructure and welfare benefits.
Special emphasis was laid on the generation of Farmer IDs under the Government of India’s AgriStack Mission.
The Deputy Commissioner explained the importance of creating a digital identity for every eligible farmer to facilitate access to agricultural services and Government initiatives.
He urged the farming community to come forward and register themselves under AgriStack. The concerned Revenue and Agriculture functionaries were directed to undertake Farmer ID generation on mission mode, conduct village-level mobilisation, assist farmers in completing the registration process and ensure that no eligible farmer remains uncovered. Today, more than 1000 Farmer IDs were generated in District Rajouri in all Tehsils
The DC further emphasised that the Gram Sabha should be utilised for spreading awareness about various Government schemes, identifying eligible beneficiaries and ensuring saturation of welfare programmes. He directed the concerned departments to move beyond routine awareness activities and ensure that information regarding eligibility, entitlements and registration procedures reaches every household.
Referring to the forthcoming Viksit Panchayat Development Plan, the Deputy Commissioner encouraged residents, particularly women and youth, to actively participate in its preparation and contribute suggestions reflecting the actual needs and aspirations of the village.
He stressed that development planning must begin at the village level, with the people themselves identifying the works and services that matter most to their community.
During the proceedings, officers from different departments briefed the gathering about ongoing welfare programmes, development initiatives, Farmer ID registration under AgriStack and the proposed preparation of the Viksit Panchayat Development Plan.
The Deputy Commissioner directed the concerned officers to properly document the suggestions and issues raised during the Gram Sabha and ensure timely follow-up. He called for close coordination among field functionaries to translate public participation into tangible improvements in service delivery.
The visit formed part of the ongoing Reform Utsav initiative aimed at bringing governance closer to the people, improving awareness about public services and ensuring that the benefits of Government schemes reach every eligible household, particularly in border and Vibrant Villages.
