Advisor Baseer Khan reviews functioning of RD&PR Deptt; Also reviews performance of NRLM in J&K

Srinagar: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan today chaired a meeting to review the functioning of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj ((RD&PR) department of Kashmir division at Civil Secretariat here.

During the meeting, execution of MGNREGA works, implementation of ongoing works under Centrally sponsored schemes, PMAY, Rural Sanitation and status of construction and renovation of Panchayat Ghars and buildings for DDCs and BDCs were discussed in detail.

The Advisor also reviewed the implementation of National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) under the chapter of UMEED in Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting was attended by Mission Director NRLM Jammu and Kashmir, Director Rural Development Department Kashmir, Director Panchayati Raj J&K, Director Rural Sanitation J&K, CEO Himayat, SE Rural Development Department Kashmir, Assistant Commissioners Development of Kashmir Division, Executive Engineers of Kashmir division, District Panchayat Officers of Kashmir division and BDOs of Kashmir division.

Advisor while taking first-hand feedback from the respective Directors about the implementation of schemes, directed the officers to have strict adherence to rules besides verification of the works done through engineering staff on regular basis. He further stressed on the need to have cross verifications done by the officers and solicit feedback from PRIs and locals so that there is no compromise on the quality and transparency.

Highlighting the importance of strict adherence to timelines, Advisor directed the officers for timely disbursal of wages under MGNREGA. He said that the wage employment has assumed great significance in these times of COVID crisis. He insisted on the maintenance of proper record about the wage distribution so that a fair idea about the number of families that are being benefitted emerges.

Emphasizing on the regular field visits by the officers in their respective blocks, he directed the officers to step up monitoring so that the impact of wage employment on ground is evident and its benefits are truly replicated on ground.

He also directed the concerned SEs to maintain record of their field visits and report in this regard should be shared with the higher authorities on regular basis for follow up action. He said that this will not only give an insight into the ongoing works but will also make the officers accountable at all levels.

Detailed presentations were given by the Director Rural Development, Kashmir, Director NRLM, J&K and Director Rural Sanitation with respect to their respective departments. The Advisor was given an overview about the district and Panchayat wise progress achieved so far regarding MGNREGA, Pardhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) and 14th Finance Commission in respect of Kashmir division.

A detailed status was also given about the construction of new Panchayat Ghars and renovation of Panchayat Ghars under RGSA in Kashmir besides the implementation of NRLM and SBM.

Regarding the repairs and renovation of Panchayat Ghars under Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA), it was given out in the meeting that out of the approved 50 Panchayat Ghars for repairs and renovation during 2018-19, 41 have been completed while another 80 Panchayat Ghars are to be renovated during 2020-21. It was also given out that 75 new panchayat bhawans are to be constructed during 2020-21.

The Advisor directed the officers to complete all the Panchayat works on war footing basis as these buildings have assumed a great significance in view of the successful conduct of Panchayat elections.

He also enquired about the number of Sarpanches and Panches that have been trained through various programmes and exposure visits. He added that the PRIs need to be given an exposure to the best practices which are to be emulated in their respective areas.

While reiterating the role of Rural Development department in the crises of COVID, he laid emphasis on the decision taken by the Lieutenant Governor regarding the establishment of 5-Bedded hospitals at each Panchayat level. The Advisor directed the Director RDD to identify the buildings and locations in consultation with medical department and by involving PRIs immediately and forward the information to the concerned quarters by tomorrow.

The Director assured the Advisor that the information is being compiled and the same shall be forwarded to the concerned quarters by tomorrow.

Regarding the functioning of NRLM in Jammu and Kashmir he was informed that 46198 SHGS have been formed under NRLM (Umeed). It was given out in the meeting that 400764 rural women have been mobilized into SHGS. It was also given out that 4164 village organisations have been promoted and 441 cluster level federations have also been promoted.

The Advisor directed that Rural Haats should be given priority and should be included in the works programme. He said that Self Help Groups from every district should be provided platform for showcasing their products in these Rural Haats.

The Advisor added that these Rural Haats provide a platform to Rural women registered with SLRM to earn their livelihood.