Budgam, September 2, 2025 – In a proactive step towards enhancing governance and public engagement, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Budgam, Dr. Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat chaired a Public Darbar at Beerwah today, where he patiently heard grievances from residents of the area and adjoining villages. The interactive session, held at the local community hall in Beerwah – a key tehsil in central Budgam known for its historical significance and agricultural vibrancy – focused on ensuring timely redressal of public issues, with directives issued for on-the-spot solutions and long-term developmental measures.Dr. Bilal Bhat, an IAS officer with a background in veterinary sciences and public management, emphasized the administration’s commitment to responsive governance. During the darbar, delegations from various panchayats, including Bonhama, Watura, and Laribal, raised concerns related to infrastructure, healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. Key demands included improved road connectivity, regularisation of land for community projects, enhanced power and water supply, and better implementation of government welfare schemes.
The DC assured the attendees that all genuine grievances would be addressed promptly, directing concerned officers – including the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Beerwah, Block Development Officer (BDO), and sectoral heads from Public Health Engineering (PHE), Roads & Buildings (R&B), and Power Development Department (PDD) – to provide real-time resolutions where possible.A significant highlight of the event was the DC’s directive for the immediate identification and allocation of land for developing playfields in Beerwah and surrounding areas. “Sports and recreational facilities are essential for youth empowerment and community well-being. We will prioritize the demarcation of suitable land to create modern playfields, fostering healthy lifestyles and talent nurturing in Budgam,” Dr. Bilal stated, aligning with the district’s ongoing efforts to promote sports infrastructure amid the region’s growing emphasis on youth development. This initiative echoes recent successes in the area, such as the Craft Village in nearby Kanihama, which has boosted local artisan welfare.Furthermore, the DC stressed the need for stronger public liaison mechanisms, instructing officers to conduct regular awareness campaigns on central and UT government schemes like PM Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, and Skill India. “Awareness is the key to inclusive growth. We must bridge the information gap so that every eligible resident in Beerwah and beyond can access these benefits,” he added.
The event also featured on-site registrations for schemes and distribution of informational pamphlets, ensuring direct outreach to over 200 participants, including sarpanchs, women self-help groups, and youth representatives.This Public Darbar is part of a series of such engagements chaired by Dr. Bilal Bhat across Budgam, following similar sessions in Chadoora, Summerbugh Shalina, and Charar-i-Sharief earlier in the year. These initiatives have been instrumental in accelerating development projects, such as heritage preservation at Ziyarat Sharif Peth Makhama and wetland conservation at Hokarsar. The Department of Information and Public Relations highlighted the event on social media, underscoring its role in strengthening democratic participation in Jammu and Kashmir.Residents expressed satisfaction with the DC’s approachable demeanour and the administration’s focus on actionable outcomes. As Budgam continues to navigate challenges like climate impacts and urban-rural disparities, events like this darbar reinforce the UT’s push towards sustainable development under the Viksit Bharat@2047 vision.
