Jammu and Kashmir village residents complain about poor basic facilities

BELODARKON - Residents of Belodarkon village, which falls under the Keller block of Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama District have complained about a lack of basic facilities like road connectivity, power and drinking water in their area.

In 2004 Belodarkon was chosen to be shaped up as a model village at a cost of rupees 10.2 million.

However, the Block Development Officer (BDO) at Keller said they could not cope with the expenditure demands due to cost escalations.

“We have already exhausted the expenditure and that is why we could not do all the work. The funds which we will get from the thirteenth Finance Commission (FC), we will try and manage the rest of the work like the drains, sanitation,” said Shafeeq Ahmad, Block Development Officer, Keller.

A computer lab, which was set up for the benefit of the young students is yet to become operational.

“This is a computer information centre, which was completed in 2007 but till today no work has been started here. We heard that computers have been brought here but no work has commenced as yet. We do not know where the money has gone which came for the development for this model village,” said Sajad Ahmad, a student.

Village residents alleged that authorities are ignoring this village and they are facing hardships due to non-completion of the proposed projects.

“It is just the name ‘model village’. No work has been executed in the area in the name of model village. We don’t understand why they have changed the name of our village from Belodarkon? They have ruined the image of our village in the name of model village,” said Yousuf Dar, a villager.

Although the rural development department, erected streetlights and also constructed buildings for Community Information Centre (CIC) and a marriage hall, basic facilities like drinking water, roads and drainage system are yet to be provided. By Fayaz Ahmad(ANI)