Zanskar, Mar 11: A Khidmat-e-Awaam outreach camp was organised at Salapi Panchayat Halqa in Zanskar on Wednesday under the “Prashasan Gaon Ki Ore” campaign, bringing multiple government services directly to residents of remote villages while also providing a platform for public grievances during a Shaam-e-Awaam interaction at Ufti Pibiting Panchayat Halqa.
The programme was conducted on the directions of the Deputy Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Kargil and the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Zanskar. Officials from several departments participated in the camp to provide services, raise awareness about government schemes and address local issues.
During the camp, the Revenue Department issued several documents on the spot, including nine Central Scheduled Tribe certificates, six domicile certificates and four inheritance mutations, besides other documents such as income certificates, legal heir certificates and jamabandi extracts.
Healthcare services were also extended to villagers. The Health Department screened 43 residents for hypertension and 85 for diabetes as part of non-communicable disease detection efforts. Officials also generated nine ABHA health IDs and issued eleven Golden Cards under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
Financial institutions including Jammu and Kashmir Bank and the State Bank of India set up information stalls to educate residents about social security and insurance schemes such as the Atal Pension Yojana, Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Suraksha Bima Yojana. They also informed villagers about opportunities under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme for entrepreneurship in agriculture, dairy and tourism sectors.
Agriculture officials along with experts from Krishi Vigyan Kendra Zanskar informed farmers about the PM-KISAN scheme and greenhouse initiatives in Ladakh. Applications for greenhouse units were collected and hybrid vegetable seeds distributed among farmers.
The Hydraulic Department addressed concerns related to the Jal Jeevan Mission and river protection works along the Stod River. Officials also conducted 30 water quality tests on the spot.
The Integrated Child Development Services Department held awareness sessions for women on the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana and child nutrition while also carrying out growth monitoring of children.
Veterinary care was provided by the Animal Husbandry and Sheep Husbandry departments. Four livestock were treated by Animal Husbandry officials while five Kisan Credit Card applications for livestock owners were initiated. The Sheep Husbandry Department treated ten animals during the camp.
Officials from the Handicrafts and Handloom Department interacted with women’s groups and self-help groups and discussed training opportunities in weaving, carpet making, sewing and spinning aimed at strengthening rural livelihoods.
Earlier, Nodal Officer Stanzin Khewang briefed residents about various government schemes and departmental services and encouraged villagers to benefit from them. He said the outreach programme was intended to bridge administrative gaps in the remote Zanskar region by bringing governance closer to the people.
During the Shaam-e-Awaam interaction session at Ufti Pibiting, villagers raised several issues including irregular distribution of cattle feed, stray dog attacks on livestock and the demand for establishing a Livestock Development Centre in Sani village. Residents also sought improved irrigation facilities and better water supply systems.
Other demands included early completion of the Jungkhor circular road, macadamisation of link roads connecting National Highway 301 to Sani, development of the Sangam area at Ufti as a tourism destination and compensation for damage to Kisherak Lakhang caused by heavy snowfall and rainfall last summer.
Villagers also proposed tapping the spring water source at Nakp Idor, improving agricultural marketing for potatoes and peas and declaring Marthang pastureland as community land.
Officials said the outreach initiative witnessed a strong response from residents despite snowfall in the region. Local villagers welcomed the visiting teams with tea and traditional cuisine.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks from the Block Development Officer of Zanskar, who urged residents to make use of such outreach initiatives to resolve individual and community issues.
