Admin must work with dedication to transform face of rural JK: Lt Governor

Srinagar, Oct 13: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Thursday reviewed the status of projects and schemes of the Rural Development Department during a high-level meeting at the Civil Secretariat.
The Lt Governor directed the officers to give preference to Self-Help Groups in procurement to increase women entrepreneurship and to harness the tremendous potential of the villages for building a strong foundation of Aatma-Nirbhar Jammu Kashmir.
We are determined to break free rural areas of the shackles of under-development and make them self-reliant. Administration at all levels must work with dedication, determination and faith to resolve the bottlenecks and transform the face of rural Jammu Kashmir, said the Lt Governor.
While implementing various schemes, we must adopt the common approach for effective execution. Our efforts should be aimed at creation of strong rural economy that offers employment opportunities, generates more income for the rural families and creates wealth for everyone, the Lt Governor told the officials.
“Senior officers must ensure that the employment & livelihood generation schemes are being implemented effectively on the ground, and utilize resources for skilling and capacity building of the members of Self-Help Groups,” he added.
It was informed that Jammu and Kashmir has 41% of its works under convergence which demonstrates the positive initiatives and progress of the UT.
The Lt Governor passed explicit directions for speeding up the tendering process, clearing pending payments under MGNREGA and other liabilities. He further directed the Commissioner/Secretary, Rural Development Department to monitor the implementation of District Plans.
Discussing the emerging issues and challenges in the rural development sector and the way forward, the Lt Governor directed the officers to work in close coordination with the PRI members and the local residents in order to meet the developmental aspirations of public and their representatives.
The Lt Governor instructed the department to conduct a survey to identify the homeless people and those having kaccha houses, and advised replicating the best practices of other States and UTs under PMAY-G.
Ms. Mandeep Kaur, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj department briefed the Lt Governor about the overall working of the department and future deliverables.
She also briefed the chair on the best practices of the department; Jan Nigrani App – Redressal Mobile Application; Online Job Card; measures taken to ensure timely payment, maintaining of Labour material Ratio; implementation of Cluster Facilitation Project, Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, Swachh Bharat Mission, UMEED, SVEP, MKSP, OYO Homestays, HIMAYAT, Integrated Watershed Management Programme; Internet Connectivity in Villages etc.
Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; HoDs and concerned senior officials attended the meeting, in person and through virtual mode.