SRINAGAR: Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, CEO Mission Youth J&K and Secretary to the Government, along with DC Baramulla Dr Syed Sehrish Asghar, have been chosen to receive the prestigious Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration, which is India’s highest honor in civil services. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has congratulated both Dr Choudhary and Dr Asghar on their accomplishment.
Shahid has become the first person to win the PM award for the third time, thanks to his innovative work with Mission Youth, which has put J&K at the forefront.
Meanwhile, Sehrish received the award for excelling in the Aspirational Districts category, specifically for her work in Baramulla district. The key achievements of Baramulla’s Aspirational District Programme that led to the Deputy Commissioner’s recognition include the creation of Birth Waiting Wards in Primary Health Centres and Community Health Centres, diagnostic service upgrades at all delivery points, and the distribution of Poshan Tracker Tabs to all Anganwadi workers.
The Deputy Commissioner provided farmers with support through various measures such as plant protection, nursery strengthening, robust root stocks, and quality planning material.
Additionally, a marketing facility was established in Sopore, the second largest Fruit Mandi in Asia. In the district, Severe Acute Malnutrition rates dropped from 3% to 0.01% and Moderate Acute Malnutrition rates reduced from 11.93% to 0.039%. To address the critical health sector gap, a two-year paramedical diploma course has been launched for 300 students in the border area. Lastly, 56,215 PM Jan Dhan Yojana accounts have been opened in Baramulla district as part of the financial inclusion initiative.
