Mubashir Bukhari
Srinagar (NVI): With an aim to provide playing space for children, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has planned to build 1,394 playgrounds in different Panchayat Halqas across the Valley at an estimated cost of Rs 59.10 crore.
Official data reveals that only 780 panchayats in Kashmir have designated playgrounds. More than 1,402 panchayats do not have any playfields.
Under the first phase, the government is building 496 playgrounds in Kashmir at an estimated cost of Rs 5,815 lakhs.
The government has identified land in 898 panchayats for building playgrounds. 157 playgrounds will be established in Baramulla.
Likewise in Anantnag, Bandipora, Shopian, Pulwama and Ganderbal, the administration has decided to build 137, 60, 4, 43 and 26 playgrounds respectively.
The government has decided to build eight playgrounds in Kulgam, four in Budgam and 118 in Kupwara.
Earlier this month, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan held a meeting with Deputy Commissioners to review the working of panchayats.
He directed Deputy Commissioners to establish at least one playground in each Panchayat. “Besides, playfields of the nearest area should be utilized in case there is non-availability of grounds in any of the Panchayat Halqas,” Khan said in an order.
The need for playgrounds at the village level is aimed at providing space to the children to involve themselves in sporting activities.
Nearly 17,000 schools in J&K are without playgrounds, while 16.1 per cent schools have the playground facility outside the premises, the official data said.
On February 18, the government postponed eight-phase polls for vacant panchayats after receiving inputs from security agencies about a possible threat. The polls were scheduled to be held from March 5.
A week later, the UT administration has decided to shift focus on developmental activities and establish at least one playground in each Panchayat Halqa across Jammu and Kashmir.
