Suhail Khan
The three Deputy Commissioners of north Kashmir’s Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara districts’ who have made significant strides in improving infrastructure and promoting economic development within a short period of time are leading by example.
Their efforts have led to the construction of new roads and bridges, as well as the attraction of several new businesses and tourist places to the area.
They have implemented various programs to improve education and healthcare in their respective districts. Their leadership and dedication have been widely praised by both government officials and the community.
Dr. Sehrish Asgar: DC Baramulla
Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Dr. Sehrish Asgar, IAS, has made significant strides in the development of the district within a short period of time. As a 2013 batch officer, she has served in various roles, including as Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Director of Information in Kashmir, and Mission Director of the Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihood Mission.
Dr. Asgar has implemented changes in various departments, including education, healthcare, agriculture, horticulture, R&B, and PDD. She recently e-inaugurated 36 Smart Elementary Schools, 18 Primary and 18 Middle schools under the Aspirational District Programme, which were modernized with ECCE outlay, digital infrastructure, and were renovated to modern standards. Additionally, 18 more schools were upgraded with Model Academic labs (Maths science & language labs) and were also inaugurated.
Under her leadership, the Chautali School on the LOC was constructed under the Seema Samridhi Yojana in Uri. The school was badly damaged in the 2005 earthquake and there was no available land for construction.
Dr. Asgar has transformed the district with the active participation of both the administration and local residents.
During the public outreach programs, people of all walks of life assemble to listen to her. At one of such outreach programmes at Rafiabad, despite minus temperature people thronged the venue and supported the initiatives of administration. The DC took to her twitter handle and wrote, “Touched! Thank you Kandi Rafiabad.”
In her tenure, Baramulla received 4 different awards including winning 3rd place among all Aspirational Districts in the nation which enabled the district to receive a cash award of 3 crore from ADP.
Dr. Owias Ahmed: DC Bandipora
Owais Ahmed Rana is a 2014 batch IAS officer of Jammu and Kashmir cadre. He is serving as the Deputy Commissioner Bandipora in North Kashmir region of J&K Union Territory.
Owais has also served as the Deputy Commissioner Shopian and as chief executive officer of Jammu & Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA), Department of Science & Technology, working under the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. He also worked as managing director, JK State Road Transport Corporation.
During his tenure, the district Hospital Bandipora bagged first rank in the category of District Hospitals for Public Health facilities on Hospital Management Information System (JK e-Sahaj) for the month of November, 2022.
The Bandipora- Gurez road was put through for the first time despite hard weather conditions. Chopper services were kept readily available for tourists and locals to travel to Gurez.
Besides that he has taken Bandipora on the tourist map of Jammu and Kashmir. Gurez was recently awarded a national award for being the best offbeat tourist destination in India. The efforts by DC Bandipora were at the forefront as almost 39000 tourists visited Gurez last year.
The development in healthcare, education and empowerment of youth and women by the district administration have changed the overall shape of district Bandipora.
Bandipora received National Award for e-Governance during 24th National conference on e- Governance held at Hyderabad, Telangana.
The first of its kind award has been conferred for the innovative digital product “Panchayat Development Index ’’ launched by the District Administration.
The award was conferred to Dr Owais Ahmad, Deputy Commissioner Bandipora.
The Bandipora district also bagged three awards for best performance in different indicators of Health sector in the Union territory and was felicitated in the two-days MCH Conclave held at SKICC Srinagar.
The district was adjudged as the best district for disbursing 100 percent JSY among the beneficiaries in the financial year 2021-22.
The district was also awarded with Rs one lac as the winning prize for HWC Nesbal in Hajin Block under KAYAKALP.
Sh. Doifode Sagar Dattatray : Deputy Commissioner Kupwara
Sagar is another versatile officer who is leading the district by example. He has also served as DC Doda and as SDM Uri.
The NITI AYOG has conferred an award of Rs 3 crore – Untied Grant to District Kupwara for securing first rank under Financial Inclusion and Skill Development theme.
He is the first such DC in Jammu and Kashmir who passed an order to seize the properties of drug peddlers in order to make Kupwara district drugs free.
Dr Dattatray has already done a commendable job in Jammu region where he left an indelible mark as the deputy commissioner of Doda district.
The DC’s firm commitment to wipe out the scourge of drugs from the district shall become an inspiration for other districts development commissioners in J&K so that a well organized drive that has already been launched across the country against the menace of drugs is taken to its logical conclusion in Jammu and Kashmir.
