Residents of Jammu and Kashmir rejoiced after the Kangan sub-division was granted sub-district status in Ganderbal District of the state.
After a long wait, the state government agreed to pending demands of the residents and granted sub-district status to Kangan.
Ganderbal's District Development Commissioner Sarmad Hafiz, said that now the sub-district will have new administrative offices.
"People of the area have been demanding new administrative offices. Likewise, the people of Kangan division have been demanding the sub-district status for a long time. Finally, Ganderbal has got a new sub-district," said Hafiz.
A local resident of Kangan sub-district, Ghulam Ahmed Mir, said they will not have to travel long distance for administrative work.
"We have been demanding that all offices and facilities should be here in Kangan itself. Now, we don't have to go to Ganderbal or Srinagar to get the work done, and we will get all facilities here. That's why the people are happy now," said Mir.
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Earlier, people had to travel at least 17 kilometres to get their work done in government offices.
Another resident, Firdous Ahmed, said the new status should be beneficial.
"The decision comes only after we had demanded it for a long time. Now, we want that all the offices should also be made here as soon as possible. If the new status is just for mere name, it's of no benefit to us," said Ahmed.
The step is also seen as a major employment opportunity for people as the government will be recruiting new officers to handle these units.
The step is predicted to act as a positive influence in the conflict-ridden state of Jammu and Kashmir.