JK News Today
Jammu, August 11: In a significant move to address the infrastructural deficiencies in the Paralkot village of Poonch district, Advocate and activist Deepika Pushkar Nath has taken up the cause with Honorable Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha. Following a detailed memorandum submitted to the LG, on August 10th, 2024, Deepika Pushkar Nath seeks urgent government intervention to uplift the severely neglected region.
Paralkot, a silent village nestled in the scenic Mandi Sub Division, is home to approximately 300 residents. However, despite its natural beauty, the village has been grappling with severe issues, with nearly 80% of the population suffering from deafness and muteness. The condition, which has persisted for decades, has seen little to no intervention, leaving the village in a state of despair.
During her recent three-day visit to Paralkot, Deepika Pushkar Nath witnessed firsthand the extreme hardships faced by its residents due to the lack of basic amenities such as roads, healthcare, and educational infrastructure. Despite the Jammu and Kashmir High Court’s orders in 2018 directing immediate corrective measures, there has been no significant progress.
“I have decided to adopt Paralkot village and work towards its holistic development,” stated Deepika Pushkar Nath. “But road connectivity and infrastructure improvements are crucial to integrating Paralkot with nearby regions and facilitating better access to resources and opportunities.”
In her memorandum, she has urged the Lieutenant Governor’s office to:
- Improve Road Connectivity: Construction and maintenance of all-weather roads connecting Paralkot to major towns and cities in the Poonch district.
- Infrastructure Development: Establish essential infrastructure, including healthcare facilities, schools, and community centers, to uplift the socio-economic status of Paralkot’s residents.
- Special Status and Support: Engage with authorities to grant special status to Paralkot and similar neglected villages, ensuring security of life and employment for the residents.
The meeting with Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha was highly encouraging; with the Lieutenant Governor commending her efforts and assuring prompt action. He also wrote to the relevant authorities for immediate follow-up.
“I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the Honorable Lieutenant Governor for providing the time and opportunity to hear me out on these critical issues. His support is a vital step towards improving the lives of those in the neglected regions of Poonch,” said Deepika Pushkar Nath.
This initiative by Deepika Pushkar Nath extends beyond Paralkot, encompassing other similarly neglected villages in the region such as Manyall-A, Manyall-B, Bagunara, and Azmathabad in the Rajouri district.
Her steadfast dedication to this cause is a call to action for all concerned stakeholders to ensure that no community is left behind in Jammu & Kashmir’s development narrative.
