Budgam, Sept 25: Residents of Charar-i-Shareef and Chadoora Assembly segments in Budgam district turned out to vote with a clear demand for improved infrastructure, particularly in veterinary services and irrigation facilities.
Villagers from both constituencies emphasised the urgent need for these essential services, which according to them have been neglected for years, impacting their livelihoods and daily lives.
Abdul Hamid Bhat, a resident of Kazipora village in Charar-i-Shareef Assembly Constituency, highlighted how their community has faced significant neglect from previous elected representatives.
Kazipora, a farming village located on the outskirts of Charar-i-Shareef, was realigned from Chadoora to Chari Shareef during constituency reorganization.
Bhat shared that their village has around 400 cows, yet lacks a veterinary centre, forcing them to travel to neighbouring villages for basic services like immunization, insemination and medical treatment.
“Cattle rearing is an important economic activity for us,” Bhat said, adding that they hope the representative they elect will address their need for a local veterinary centre.
Other villagers echoed similar concerns. Mohammad Younis pointed to the inadequate irrigation facilities as another pressing issue. He explained that a local canal, crucial for irrigating the orchards in the area, lacks the capacity to meet the needs of the farming community.
“Our land relies on this canal, but it’s not enough to provide water for all the orchards,” Younis said, adding that they need improvements in the irrigation system to sustain their agriculture.
In Chadoora constituency, the demand for veterinary services is also high. Mohammad Maqbool Dar, an elderly resident from Doyen-Durbugh, shared that their area has a population of 300 cows and several dairy farms, but lacks a veterinary centre.
He said that transporting cattle to other villages for medical care is a difficult task, requiring the effort of multiple individuals.
“We have been asking for a veterinary centre for years, and we hope our new representative will finally fulfill this long-pending demand,” Dar said.
