JAMMU: Secretary, Rural Development Department (RDD) and Panchayati Raj, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary conducted a detailed interaction with the heads of department to discuss action plan for rural development and citizen empowerment through various initiatives and schemes in the Union Territory. Detailed presentations were made by the HoDs about performance under various schemes, issues therein and interventions required. Dr Shahid underscored the need for strengthening the institution District Development Councils and Local Self Government, innovation in rural development, convergence with other departments for maximisation of outcome based development in villages, fast track disposal of service related matters, conduct of DPCs, public grievance redressal and outreach, and effective inter-sectoral coordination. He laid out the vision of Lt Governor Sh Manoj Sinha for measures to effectively ensure citizen engagement, tangible infrastructure development, youth empowerment, public outreach and inclusion of marginalised sections. Secretary in RDD, Tariq Zargar made a detailed presentation about the status of MGNREGA implementation, administrative and financial status of schemes, challenges related to staffing and other issues. He informed that against the total outlay of Rs 1250 Cr during the FY 2023-24 funds to the tune of Rs 697 Cr were made available to the department out of which 97% expenditure has been registered. District wise performance corresponding to key indicators of the CSS were also discussed. It was informed that 2371 panchayats out of 4291 have been covered under Amrit Sarovar and efforts are being made for saturation. Director General, Rural Sanitation Anoo Malhotra made a presentation about the implementation of Swachh Bharat Mission- Grameen in the UT, including flagship initiatives and interventions. It was informed that under the Solid Waste Management Plan (SWM) 5979 villages have been covered while under the Greywater Management (GWM) 3009 villages have been covered. Jammu and Kashmir Rural Development Department is also endeavouring for Republic Tableau on the Swachhata mission. Mission Director, Rural Livelihood Mission Indu Kanwal Chib made a presentation informing that the program is being implemented in 285 blocks across 20 districts, under which rural households have been mobilised into 87,563 SHGs, 6046 Vos and 538 Cluster Level Federations. Rs 422.39 Cr capitalization has been provided to the community-based organisation. She elaborated on the plan to expand the SHGs footprints into service sector and commodity trade. CEO IWMP Bharat Bhushan, made a presentation about implementation of Integrated Watershed Management Plan, Directors Rural Development Jammu Mohammad Mumtaz Ali, Director Kashmir Shabir Ahmad Bhat, Director Panchayati Raj Sham Lal Sharma, made presentation about the sectoral initiatives, progress under CSS and UT CapEx. Director Finance Riyaz Ahmad Shah, COO Himayat Rajnish Gupta, Additional Secretary Sanjay Kumar Bhat, Additional Secretary (Legal) Pardeep Thakur, Joint Director(P&S) Kamal Kishore Sharma, Deputy Secretary Mohammad Farooq Khan, Deputy Secretary Sheetal Pandita among others. Detailed discussion was held about the Programs schemes like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Jammu & Kashmir Rural Livelihood Mission (JKRLM), Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY-G), Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), Himayat, Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyaan (RGSA) and others were scrutinised to assess progress and identify areas for improvement. Discussions during the meeting addressed challenges in program implementation, exploring potential solutions. The role of Project Implementation Agencies (PIAs), especially those linked with National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD) and Central Technical Support Agency (CTA), was deliberated upon
