Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 21: 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.
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 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.