Div Com launches tourist village Panchari

Div Com Jammu listening people’s issues at Panchari.
Div Com Jammu listening people’s issues at Panchari.

Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Oct 11: Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr Raghav Langer today launched the tourist village Panchari under the tourism development program launched by Lieutenant Governor.
The tourist village was launched at an impressive function organized by the District Administration in the premises of Sankri Devta.
Addressing the gathering, the Div Com appreciated the efforts of District Administration Udhampur (DC, other district officers) for taking lead in the launch of the tourist village project in the Union Territory. The Div Com said that the other districts/ DCs will also replicate it.
The Div Com informed that 75 villages in the UT will be developed as model tourist villages, earlier the home stay was also offered by the Tourism Department but DC Udhampur took the lead and started a home stay scheme in this village.
He urged the entrepreneurs/ youth to start a home stay system at their own level for which the Deputy Commissioners of Jammu division and tourism officers have already been asked to extend handholding to the owner for developing better facilities for the tourists.
Dr Langer said that Panchari block will become one of the best tourist destinations of UT of J&K in near future. He asked the DC to personally monitor the development works in the area to ensure better road connectivity, water, power provisions etc.
While speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, Indu Kanwal Chib gave a detailed resume on the facilities in the proposed tourist village. She said these tourist villages will open in twin blocks of Panchari and Moungri. The DC asked PRIs of Moungri to identify locations for home stays of tourists. The DC asked the public of Panchari to strictly follow Covid appropriate behaviour like wearing face mask, social distancing. She informed that in the first phase the District Administration has selected three villages for developing as tourist villages in the district. She asked the PRIs to identify more tourist villages in their respective blocks. The DC congratulated the general public of Panchari.
On the occasion, a special presentation of scintillating cultural programmes featuring Kud Dance, Desi Paakh, Geetru, depicting the tradition of the area was also held which was highly appreciated by the chief guest and audiences with repeated round of applause.
On the occasion, a documentary being prepared by Department of Information and Public Relations Udhampur Centre was also launched and the Div Com appreciated the efforts of Information department for showcasing tourist village Panchari through documentary.
Meanwhile, Div Com conducted a public grievances redressal camp at Sankri Devta and listened to scores of public issues and demands in presence of DDC Chairperson Udhampur, Lal Chand, Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, Indu Kanwal Chib, BDCs, DDCs besides Divisional & District heads of various departments and PRIs of concerned block.
Block Development Council chairman Panchari, Jeevan Sharma; DDC Panchari, Jasvir Singh; Sarpanches, Panches and general public of adjoining Panchayats projected several demands and problems being faced by them. They demanded development of play fields, maintenance of Udhampur to Lander road, construction of Namole to Darang road, construction of Tirshi to Kainth Gali road, Up-gradation of local PHC to CHC, Ambulance facility at Badhiye, Opening of fair price shops, establishment of Sub Divisional Office at Panchari and inclusion of left out beneficiaries under SMAS, Widow pension etc
The Divisional Commissioner gave a patient hearing to the public issues and passed on-spot directions for redressal of their grievances at an earliest. Dr Langer directed the concerned officers to review the developmental schemes in their respective departments on a daily basis.