DM Vandana Conducts Public Hearing and Development Review in Remote Rural Areas of Mukteshwar,

Pavneet Singh bindra

Nainital (Mukteshwar), October 9, 2025 — Under the district administration’s weekly Jan Sunwai (public grievance hearing) program, District Magistrate Vandana reached remote rural villages of the Bhimtal constituency, directly interacted with villagers, listened to their issues, and reviewed ongoing development works.Inspection of Apple Mission Orchards and Promotion of Self-EmploymentThe District Magistrate inspected orchards developed under the State’s Apple Mission and met cultivators to discuss fruit production and related challenges. She motivated local residents to adopt self-employment opportunities in horticulture and related sectors.Meeting with Tourism and Women’s GroupsDuring her visit, she also held a meeting with local hotel and homestay owners to discuss employment opportunities in the tourism sector. Vandana interacted with members of women self-help groups, learning about their locally produced goods and small-scale enterprises, and encouraged their efforts.Visit to Kumaon Vani Community Radio CenterAt the Teri Project site in Gram Sabha Supi, the DM inspected the Kumaon Vani Community Radio Center. She stressed the importance of connecting community radio with modern technologies to keep it relevant and ensure the continuous exchange of local information. She directed the District Development Officer to prepare a departmental roster so that various departments like agriculture, horticulture, and rural development can disseminate information through the radio in simple language.Public Hearing and Water Supply DirectionsDuring the public hearing in Supi, locals complained about poor-quality and incomplete works under the Jal Jeevan Mission and the lack of drinking water. The DM instructed the Executive Engineer of the Water Institute to resolve the water issue within 10 days, warning that the salary of the concerned engineer would be withheld otherwise.Agriculture, Research, and Land ConsolidationThe DM reviewed TERI’s agricultural and horticultural projects and instructed officials to coordinate with such research institutions for high-value crop production. Villagers also demanded voluntary land consolidation; Vandana directed revenue officials to initiate the process in consultation with farmers.Wildlife Damage and Crop MarketingResponding to complaints of crop damage by wild animals, she directed the Chief Agriculture Officer to prepare a proposal for fencing (tarbandi) in affected areas. On marketing issues, she announced an upcoming joint meeting with officials from Mandi Parishad, Agriculture, and Horticulture departments for a permanent solution.Cleanliness, Encroachment, and Waste ManagementShe instructed the formation of village cleanliness committees and ordered strict action against hotel and homestay owners found dumping waste in public places. The DM also directed revenue officials to remove encroachments from government and public lands within 10 days and provide written certification from patwaris confirming encroachment-free zones.Encouraging Reverse Migration and School VisitInspecting apple orchards developed by farmers Khadak Singh and Anand Singh at Budhibana, she praised Anand Singh for returning home during the pandemic and establishing a horticultural enterprise, calling it a living example of reverse migration.During her stop at PM Shri Inter College, Kasiyalekh, she interacted with students and instructed officials to ensure proper drinking water arrangements. Impressed by the school’s performance, she announced that the in-charge principal would be honored on State Foundation Day and directed the construction of a playground and boundary wall.Tourism Sector Issues and Infrastructure InstructionsAt the PWD Rest House in Kasiyalekh, the DM chaired a meeting with the Mukteshwar Hotel & Restaurant Association and local residents. She ordered the completion of five key drinking water schemes within 10 days, patchwork and hotmixing of roads, and installation of crash barriers. Noting the increasing tourist activities, she directed preparation of proposals for small pocket parkings and a survey of unregistered homestays/hotels, with punitive action to follow.
She also instructed a road safety audit involving the SDM, ARTO, PWD, and police teams.Other Key DirectivesShe ordered the reopening of the Hi-Tech Toilet at Bhatelia through the District Panchayat and directed that its outlets be managed by women self-help groups.
At village Sunkia, she visited the Ghasiyari Self-Help Group and appreciated the eco-friendly homestay built from pine and bamboo, directing the Tourism Officer to install signage, solar lamps, and dustbins around rural homestays to promote sustainable tourism.Officials from the departments of agriculture, horticulture, tourism, animal husbandry, irrigation, rural engineering, and local representatives accompanied the DM during the visit.