Zanskar, May 07: In a continued effort to strengthen grassroots governance and improve public access to government services, a weekly Khidmat-e-Awaam outreach camp was organised at Stongday Panchayat Halqa in Zanskar on Wednesday under the directions of the Deputy Commissioner, Zanskar.
The camp aimed at ensuring doorstep delivery of essential services, public awareness regarding welfare schemes, and prompt redressal of grievances in remote areas of the region.
The programme commenced with an introductory address by Tourist Officer Zanskar and Nodal Officer of the camp, Ghulam Rasool Lal, who underscored the administration’s commitment towards responsive governance and improved public service delivery mechanisms.
Officials from multiple departments, including ICDS, Health, PHE/I&FC, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Agriculture, Education, Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Social and Tribal Welfare, Handicrafts and Handloom, FCS&CA, besides representatives from financial institutions such as J&K Bank and State Bank of India, participated in the outreach programme and disseminated information on various welfare and self-employment schemes.
During the camp, several departments delivered on-the-spot services to residents. The Revenue Department issued certificates, processed inheritance mutations, and completed verifications under PM-KISAN and ration card schemes. The PHE/I&FC Department responded to issues concerning drinking water supply, irrigation schemes, and de-siltation of ponds.
The ICDS Department registered beneficiaries, conducted growth monitoring exercises, and facilitated Aadhaar enrolment and updation services. Financial institutions enrolled eligible beneficiaries under social security schemes, including APY, PMJJBY and PMSBY, while also creating awareness about employment-oriented initiatives such as PMEGP.
The Agriculture Department registered farmers under PM-KISAN and the Ladakh Greenhouse Scheme and distributed high-yield vegetable seeds to beneficiaries. The Rural Development Department provided information regarding MGNREGA and NRLM schemes and carried out beneficiary registrations.
Health officials conducted screenings for non-communicable diseases and generated Golden Cards under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, while the Education Department facilitated Aadhaar updates and encouraged school enrolment drives. Departments dealing with handicrafts, tourism, livestock and tribal welfare also extended awareness and service-based support during the programme.
During the Shaam-e-Awaam interaction session, residents raised several civic and developmental concerns, including delays in the supply of construction material under rural development schemes, promotion of cash crops such as potatoes and peas, distribution of fruit saplings, and early completion of the Community Library and Multi-Utility Centre at Lower Kumik.
Locals also sought improved drinking water facilities at educational and public institutions, repair of damaged water supply lines, proper maintenance of irrigation kuls, and demarcation of religious structures in the area.
Officials said the outreach camp witnessed active public participation and served as an effective platform for direct interaction between the administration and residents, while facilitating service delivery and addressing public grievances at the village level.
