5,000 officers to visit panchayats in J-K for 'Back to Village-2' programme

As the second phase of the flagship 'Back to the Village' programme is all set to begin in Jammu and Kashmir next week, Lt Governor G C Murmu on Wednesday said 5,000 officers will reach out to the people in each panchayat because real progress can be brought by working together.

The 'Back to Village-2' (B2V2) programme will be organised from November 25 to 30 with a senior government official asserting that its fundamental objective is empowerment and development of psanchayats.

The first phase of the first-of-its-kind initiative to reach out to the people at the grassroots level was last held from June 20 to 27 across 4,483 panchayats, which witnessed tremendous response from the public.

"In June, we started a unique initiative. We sent 5,000 officers, each in one panchayat of Jammu and Kashmir to stay for two days with the people. We were overwhelmed by the love and affection our officers received from all of you," Murmu said.

"Encouraged by your response, we have now decided to launch another similar effort, B2V2. This time too, 5,000 officers will visit each panchayat, stay with all of you and discuss with you your problems and issues and also tell you what we are doing to bring development and progress," he said in an advertisement which appeared in various local dailies here on Wednesday.

Requesting the people to participate in this effort with same zeal and affection displayed in June, he said, "I also urge all my officers to display the same sincerity and empathy that they did when they visited you (the people) the last time."