Convergence of schemes necessary to improve rural infrastructure: Haq

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 7:- Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Abdul Haq Khan has called upon the functionaries of Rural Development Department to ensure complete implementation of the schemes at gross root level, adding that the benefits of these schemes should reach people well in time.
The Minister reviewed the progress of various rural development works being carried out in Jammu Division at a Rural Development Officers meeting. Minister of State for Rural Development and Transport, Abdul Ghani Kohli was also present in the meeting. Commissioner Secretary Rural Development, Shafat Noor gave detailed brief of the activities of the Department to the Minister.
The meeting was apprised that Rs 168 crore have been expended on over 29000 rural works ending January this fiscal under MGNERGA in Jammu Division. It was told that so far the execution of 7059 works has been completed, 42.97 lakh mandays generated, 612696 job cards issued and 82036 households provided employment in the Division under MGNERGA.
The meeting was also informed that Rs 28 crore has been released this year for construction of dwelling units under IAY in Jammu Division. Out of this Rs 10.45 crore were expended on construction of 10957 dwelling units, among which 1543 dwelling units were completed till January 2015 in the Division.
Under 13th F.C. Awards the Department has released Rs 78.10 crore to the executing agencies for construction of Panchayat Ghars in the Division and so far the construction work of 142 Panchayat Ghar was completed, 102 are near completion and work on 445 is in progress while as the land is being identified for 92 Panchayat Ghars in the Division.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said Mahatma Gandhi NREGA is a demand driven programme and the concerned authorities should ensure effective implementation of the programme so that its benefits reach the rural poor. He said the guidelines for convergence of Watershed Programmes with Mahatma Gandhi NREGA have to be adhered to and further steps should be taken to ensure development of natural resources by converging various schemes.
The Minister urged officers to bring complete transparency and accountability in the working of the Department and directed for time bound completion of the works and ensuring use of quality material as per standard specifications.