Border villages our first priority, ensure basic facilities: Div Com Kmr to DCs, officers

Srinagar, Nov 23: “Border villages should not be treated as last habitations but these are our first priority and are considered first villages,” said Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri on Thursday.
The Div Com convened a meeting here to review the availability of basic amenities and services to the people living in the habitations ahead of the fenced line along the LOC in border districts of Kashmir Division. The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioners of Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora along with district officers of PMGSY, Health, Education, PDD and PHE besides officers of BEACON.
Addressing the meeting, the Div Com directed officers to ensure that border villages are provided with all the basic facilities like roads, electricity, mobile connectivity and internet services besides educational institutions and health centres so that these areas are not left behind on the developmental front. He enjoined the concerned PHE officers to connect every household through JJM Schemes to provide potable water to residents of fenced areas.
The Div Com impressed upon the officers to conduct frequent field visits to these villages to address the developmental requirements so the residents of these areas do not face hardships. He informed the meeting about the number of villages of their respective districts falling in this zone and the current scenario of basic amenities available to the people there.
To execute all the developmental works ahead of the fencing line, the Div Com instructed HoDs to work in close synergy with the security agencies.