Poonch Ki Awaz

Five Khelo India Poonch Hockey Players to Represent J&K at Nationals.

Poonch, July 24:
In a major achievement for District Poonch, *five young players* from the *Khelo India Hockey Centre* have been selected to represent *Hockey J&K* in the upcoming *15th Hockey India Sub-Junior Men’s National Championship* , to be held in Chennai, Tamil Nadu from July 28 to August 8, 2025.

The selected players are:

*Mantej Singh, Mohd Altmas,*Shivam Mehra, Rahiees Ahmed & Sabiullah*

Their selection is being hailed as a proud moment for the region, and a strong indicator of the growing sports culture in border areas under the *Khelo India initiative.*

The Khelo India Centre extended their heartfelt gratitude to the J&K Sports Council and Hockey J&K for their continued support in promoting hockey and youth sports across the Union Territory.

> “This achievement is a testament to the hard work of our players and the structured training being provided at the Centre. We are confident these boys will make Poonch and J&K proud,” said Navjot Singh, FIH Certified Coach and Khelo India Hockey Coach.

The participation of local talent at the national level is expected to further strengthen the hockey ecosystem in the region and motivate more youth to pursue the sport professionally.

DC Poonch tours Aspirational block Mankote

Inspects progress of Water Supply Schemes, reviews status of ABDP works

POONCH, JANUARY 22: District Development Commissioner Poonch, Vikas Kundal, visited Mankote Block today to inspect the ongoing Water Supply Schemes (WSS) and works taken up under Aspirational Block Development Programme(ABDP) in the area .

The two major projects, WSS Shiekhan Berja and WSS Barooi Chowki, are being developed under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) at a cost of Rs 3.85 crore and Rs 2.82 crore, respectively.

The Deputy Commissioner reviewed the progress of the projects. At WSS Shiekhan Berja, the executing agency has successfully drilled and commissioned two bore wells, providing Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) to 150 households. Similarly, WSS Barooi Chowki has completed one bore well and provided FHTCs to 75 households.

The Deputy Commissioner directed the Executive Engineer to ensure that every household receives FHTC, reinforcing the government's commitment to providing safe and adequate drinking water to all citizens.

Later, the Deputy Commissioner convened a high-level meeting at Tehsil Headquarter Mankote to review the implementation and progress of the Aspirational Block Development Programme.

The initiative aims to fast-track development in block and improve key socio-economic indicators. The review meeting focused on the performance of crucial sectors such as Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Health, Education and other allied departments.

Deputy Commissioner emphasized the need to enhance performance across sectors and ensure the achievement of development indicators in a time-bound manner.

Furthermore, to gain a firsthand understanding of challenges and progress, officers were directed to adopt a collaborative approach to address gaps, expedite project ex*****on, and achieve tangible outcomes that directly benefit the residents.

The meeting was attended by all the District Heads and other sectoral officers.

Meanwhile, District Development Commissioner Poonch Vikas Kundal inaugurated and handed over the keys to the house owner who constructed his house under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana Grameen (PMAY-G). Vikas Kundal interacted and congratulated the new house owner and his family members, who built his house by availing PMAY Gramin Scheme benefits.