In a remarkable turn of events, the District Development Council (DDC) elections held in November 2020 across Jammu and Kashmir have set the stage for a wave of grassroots-level development in the rural areas of the union territory, after the repeal of Article 370. The DDC now holds a pivotal role within the self-governing framework of the Panchayat Raj Institution (PRI).
Parvaiz Ahmad, a youth hailing from Wahibugh village falling under the DDC Constituency of Pulwama , offers a firsthand account of the transformative journey the region has embarked upon. Over the past two and a half years, a series of ambitious developmental projects have been successfully undertaken in Wahibugh through the PRI’s meticulous planning, approval, and supervision, all under the watchful eye of the concerned DDC. Ahmad highlighted the village’s revamped appearance, featuring well-paved interior roads, meticulously constructed lanes adorned with concrete tiles, and the installation of solar lights at crucial junctions.
Ahmad, further, underlined the notable enhancements in connectivity within the agricultural heartlands, achieved through the creation of new pathways. The roster of accomplishments includes the construction of protective walls around graveyards, solid waste segregation sheds, public lavatories, a playfield, and even a cremation shed dedicated to the Pandit community, all of which have taken shape over the past couple of years.
Ahmad said, “The potential for further uplifting the aesthetics and functionality of our village through development remains vast.”
Javid Rahim Bhat, a representative of Pulwama within the DDC, shares insights into the newfound awareness among Kashmiri people about the significance of the three-tier PRI structure after the DDC elections. Bhat underscores the accessibility citizens now have to their elected DDC members, as evident by the steady stream of delegations seeking redressal of their grievances that visit him daily.
Bhat contextualizes this against the backdrop of history, noting that the politicians of the former Jammu and Kashmir administration had previously enforced a deficient PRI structure for personal gain, lacking the essential Block Development Council (BDC) and District Development Council. He emphasizes how the DDC elections ignited political consciousness among the youth and fostered the emergence of a fresh generation of young politicians, who are poised to shape the future leadership of Jammu and Kashmir.
Bhat shines a spotlight on the remarkable progress witnessed within his DDC constituency over the past two and a half years, stating, “The advancements observed here, spanning 28 villages, surpass those achieved in the preceding 50 years.” He elaborates on the upgrades made in pivotal sectors such as rural road connectivity, education, healthcare, rural development, agriculture, horticulture, electricity, drinking water, sanitation, and sports.
Bhat further underscores the DDC’s substantial contribution to uplifting the underprivileged, marginalized, and unemployed through various sponsored schemes, thus facilitating increased youth engagement and empowerment. He advocates for the reinforcement of the three-tier Panchayat Raj system, underscoring its effectiveness in local governance and the decentralization of authority, as imperative for nurturing and sustaining grassroots democracy in the region following the Article 370 repeal.
