AS Probationer Seerat Baji Reviews Vibrant Villages Programme in Border Village Namblan, Evaluates Education, Health, and Rural Development Schemes
IAS Probationer Seerat Baji, a 2024-batch officer of the Indian Administrative Service, on Monday carried out an extensive field-level assessment of developmental and welfare initiatives being implemented in Namblan village under the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP–II). The review meeting focused on achieving complete coverage of central and Union Territory government schemes, upgrading essential infrastructure, and improving the quality of civic amenities in the strategically important border village.
Young Officer with Roots in Rural Rajouri
Ms Baji, who hails from Kanthol village, located around 70 kilometres from Rajouri town, is regarded as a promising young officer with a strong understanding of rural realities. She cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2023 in her second attempt, securing an All India Rank (AIR) of 516, and is currently undergoing her district training as part of the IAS probation.
Emphasis on Strengthening Education Facilities
During the review, the probationer conducted a detailed examination of the education sector, focusing on the functioning of local schools. She evaluated the pupil–teacher ratio, infrastructure gaps, and academic performance indicators. Special attention was given to proposals for the upgradation of the Government High School, with directions issued to improve classrooms, learning facilities, and overall educational outcomes for students in the village.
Review of Healthcare Services at Grassroots Level
Ms Baji also inspected the performance of the Health Sub-Centre at Dhara Sangla, stressing the need for upgrading medical infrastructure in accordance with provisions under the Vibrant Villages Programme. She emphasized the importance of accessible, timely, and quality healthcare services, particularly for women, children, and elderly residents living in remote areas.
Ensuring Delivery of Essential Supplies and Veterinary Care
The probationer reviewed the functioning of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Department and the Veterinary Department. She instructed concerned officials to ensure uninterrupted availability of essential commodities, strengthen public distribution mechanisms, and provide timely veterinary services to support livestock-dependent households.
Focus on Agriculture, Horticulture, and Irrigation Needs
While reviewing the Agriculture and Horticulture Departments, Ms Baji assessed the availability of irrigation facilities, access to quality inputs, and challenges faced by farmers, including issues arising from the monkey menace. She directed officers to prepare and submit feasibility reports for the construction of a check dam, which could play a crucial role in improving irrigation and water availability for agricultural activities.
Boosting Cooperative Movement and Rural Livelihoods
The functioning of the Cooperative Department was examined with an emphasis on expanding cooperative societies to ensure greater community participation and economic benefits. Reviewing progress under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), the probationer instructed officials to facilitate the registration of at least ten new Self Help Groups (SHGs) within one month, aiming to strengthen women’s livelihoods and income-generation opportunities.
Anganwadi Services, Youth Engagement, and Mission YUVA
Ms Baji assessed the functioning of seven Anganwadi Centres in the village, focusing on nutrition, early childhood care, and service delivery. She also reviewed the initiatives of the District Youth Services and Sports Department, stressing effective execution of Mission YUVA programmes. Officers were directed to maintain close coordination with banks to ensure timely disbursement of financial assistance to beneficiaries.
Infrastructure Development and Power Connectivity
The review concluded with a detailed assessment of infrastructure development and electricity coverage. The probationer sought updates on power connections for left-out households and evaluated the performance of the Rural Engineering Wing. She issued instructions to expedite ongoing projects, improve execution quality, and ensure faster delivery of infrastructure services to the village.
Officials present at the meeting were urged to adopt a coordinated, outcome-driven approach to ensure that the objectives of the Vibrant Villages Programme are fully realized, bringing tangible improvements to the lives of residents in Namblan.
