Budgam locals demand merger with Pulwama district

PULWAMA — A Grievance Redressal Camp at Pakherpora, organized on Sunday afternoon, witnessed a huge participation. Hundreds of people, in one voice, resonated to settle the long-pending demand of merger of Pakherpora Halqa with Pulwama district.

Continuing with the pursuit of reaching out to the people, Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Dr Raghav Langer held the Grievance Redressal Camp at Pakherpora. Scores of grievances and demands were put forth and on-spot instructions were passed for their timely resolution.

It is pertinent to mention that that the people of the area resonated in one voice to solve the long-pending demand of merger of Pakherpora Halqa, consisting of habitations namely Pakherpora, Chraripora, Mohandpora, Shangerpora, Manzgam with district Pulwama.

Senior citizens and Civil Society members of the area apprised the Deputy Commissioner about the inconveniences being faced by the people of the area on daily basis.

It is noteworthy to mention that all major utility services to this belt are provided by the departments/divisions based in Pulwama, even though the area is a part of Budgam district. The Camp was accordingly organised in coordination with Budgam district administration.

DC Pulwama assured that both districts shall be working in synergy to alleviate the difficulties of the people and issues pertaining to Budgam district administration shall be taken up with his counterpart.

The public mentioned to the Deputy Commissioner that the people of the area face administrative inconvenience as it has distance-wise and topographical disadvantage from district Budgam. All basic services like road connectivity, transport, education, health care, water & electricity supply, irrigation facilities etc of the area are mainly linked with district Pulwama.

Also, the distance of Pakherpora from Budgam headquarter is 50 kilometers while it is only 17 kilometers from Pulwama headquarter.

The people of Pakherpora have been continuously demanding merger with Pulwama district since decades. They apprised the DC that in the past they had sent series of representations to the Delimitation Commissions and various other forums as well; and the same continues to be their main demand as on date. DC Pulwama assured that necessary steps shall be taken in this regard after due diligence as per norms.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner was accompanied by senior officers of Pulwama district and instructions were passed for settling issues like road connectivity, water supply, electricity, transport etc.

Exen R&B, Exen Jal Shakti, Exen KPDCL, AEE PMGSY, Tehsildar Budgam, Tehsildar Rajpora and concerned BDOs, officials of Irrigation, Health and Transport departments accompanied the Deputy Commissioner.

The Deputy Commissioner also paid obeisance at the revered Pakherpora Shrine and thanked district administration Budgam for facilitating the visit and providing all necessary coordination.