The Jammu and Kashmir government’s ambitious initiative to reach out to the people at the grassroots level through a programme named ‘Back to the Village’ (B2V) is transforming the lives of hundreds and thousands of residents in the region.
The Back to Village programme commenced in the year 2019. While currently, the fourth phase of the Back to Village programme is underway across Jammu and Kashmir.Going through the history of Jammu and Kashmir, people from far-flung areas of the region had to walk miles to meet ministers or officers to get their work done, be it electricity, water connection, roads, or any other developmental work.
But now, the government is at the doorstep of ordinary people. The interaction of officers with the common masses makes Back to Village a successful initiative. During the interaction, people are made aware of different schemes. Grievances are heard and readdressed.
More than 3000 projects have been completed across Jammu and Kashmir under the Back to Village programme.
What does B2V phase 4 programme offer?
In a message, Lieutenant Governor Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha invited all the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir to participate enthusiastically and be part of the B2V phase 4 massive outreach prgoramme.
Over 4500 gazetted officers have been posted for the B2V phase 4 programme, who shall be visiting every Panchayat across J&K. At the same time, gram sabha meetings will be held in every Panchayat. Jammu and Kashmir Bank will set up a special counter.
During the programme, which began on October 27, 2022, and will end on November 3, 2022, the particular focus will be on youth, skills, and self-employment good governance, and Panchayat Raj, Nasha Mukt, and Rozgar Yukt Jammu and Kashmir.
Major Deliverables of Back to Village phase 4 programme are?
Some of the major deliverables of the Back to Village phase 4 programme mentioned by the Jammu and Kashmir government is to issue 1 lakh golden health cards and 10 lakh land passbooks. Also, 15 youths per Panchayat are to be selected for self-employment support-60,000 cases are to be taken up.
Other important events include having 4000 stalls and exhibitions that will help citizens across online services and government schemes—20 youth per Panchayat to be identified for skill training-over 1 Lakh youth to be trained.
4290 Pani Samitis to meet 4290 filed testing kits to be provided by the Jammu and Kashmir government during the Back to Village phase 4 programme.
At the same 7000, inheritance mutations will be attested by the Jammu and Kashmir government. Further, under the one playfield in every Panchayat- at least one game is to be played every playfield. Also, over 250000 e-shram cards will be issued by the Jammu and Kashmir government during the Back to Village phase 4 programme.
Additionally, there will be an interaction with 4290 youth clubs and much more during the B2V phase 4 programme. The programme primarily focuses on outreach, transparency, and delivery.
Deployment of Officers and LG Sinha’s meeting
From Financial Commissioners to Principal Secretary to the Government to Commissioner/Secretary to the Government to Secretary to the Government to Director General to Commissioner to Administrative Secretary to Chief Executive Office to other government officers have been deputed to the Back to Village phase 4 programme.
The officers have been asked to visit every Panchayat across Jammu and Kashmir to meet locals, address their issues and sensitize them about different schemes offered by the Jammu and Kashmir government and Centre government.
In the meantime, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha chaired a high-level meeting to review the progress of deliverables during Back to Village-IV. During the meeting, The Lt Governor highlighted the role of the people, public representatives, and government departments in the peace and development process.
He said it is not just the Police and Security forces’ responsibility to establish peace but also the prime objective of every stakeholder of the community, as well as those in the civil administration, to ensure all sections of society enjoy the fruits of development.
B2V reflecting intention of J&K govt
We, the residents of Uri in North Kashmir’s Baramulla, cannot thank enough Jammu and Kashmir government, who, under the initiative of “Back to the Village,” reached our doorstep and are readdressing our grievances, said Shabir Khan.
He said, “Officers have sensitized locals about various government schemes, issued law passbooks and encouraged us to be a part of the change in Jammu and Kashmir; what else do we need.”
It was unimaginable to think a few years back that officers are IAS or JKAS would visit far-flung villagers like ours and enquire about the issue, be it water scarcity, roads, transport, or any other thing. We would travel miles from Bandipora to Kashmir to lodge our complaints, said Majid Bhat.
But now things have changed, he said. Adding that, Majid said, “As the name suggests, the administration is back to villages, listening to what people demand and acting accordingly, and we residents highly appreciate the efforts of the LG Sinha government.”
Since the abrogation of Article 370, many programmes and initiatives have been initiated by the government of Jammu and Kashmir. One such initiative is the Back to Village programme, which has reflected the intention of Jammu and Kashmir of bringing change and development in every corner of Jammu and Kashmir, said Ghulam Ahmad, a resident of Ganderbal.
“Now the development and progress in Jammu and Kashmir are not only limited to a few sections of people. But, every village and area in Jammu and Kashmir is seeing a modification from last 75 years in the region”, he added.
“Let me make it clear, now voices are being heard by the people who live miles away from the city it is all because of the Back to Village programme. I urge people from Jammu and Kashmir to participate in the Back to Village Programme and make it a big success”, said Bilal Shakeel from Kupwara.