Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Abdul Haq today inaugurated Panchayat Ghar at village Chak Gadadhar of block Kathua. MLA Kathua, Rajiv Jasrotia was also present on the occasion.The Rural Development Minister also kick started the construction work on the shingled road at Changran panchayat under MGNREGA and also inspected Individual House hold Latrine (IHHL) works in village Chan gran.The Minister also laid foundation stone of Community Facilitation Centre cum Training centre at village Sahar of block Kathua. Rs 50 Lakh shall be spent on the construction of CFC.The Minister also laid foundation stone for improvement cum renovation of pond at village Sahar under MGNREGA and funds released by the MLA Kathua under his Constituency Development Fund. The work will be completed at an estimated cost of Rs 28 Lakh.The Minister also gave instructions for the development of a park in between the CFC building and the pond for the benfit of the local public.
Later, the Minister also laid foundation stone for renovation of pond at village Uttri block Barnoti under MGNREGA and funds released by MLA under the CDF.While speaking on the occasion, MLA Kathua thanked the Minister for clearing liabilities under MGNREGA and also apprised the Minister about various development related works including irrigation, maintenance of ponds, construction of lanes and drains, road connectivity, playgrounds where funds can be utilized under the new convergence model. He also encouraged people to participate in the development process for ensuring quality and timely completion of the taken up projects.Speaking on the occasion, the Rural Development Minister said that MGNREGA is a demand driven programme and instructions have been issued to ensure effective implementation of the programme so that its benefit reach the rural people. He said that steps should be taken to ensure development of natural resources under the new convergence initiative. Highlighting the importance of ‘My Village My World ‘ programme launched in the State, the Minister said that Panchayats showing best results under the programme will get an award annually and the concerned officials will also be encouraged.
Meanwhile, the Minister directed ACD Kathua to identify land for the construction of panchayat ghar at village Logate.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.Earlier the Minister also chaired a meeting of the committee for curbing illegal import of polythene at Lakhanpur.DC Excise Lakhanpur, Rajesh Sharma apprised the Minister about the seizure of polythene at Lakhanpur and other minor posts.The Minister also directed the District administration to work in tandem to curb the menace of polythene smuggling and called for strict action against the culprits.Among others Director Rural Development Jammu, M L Raina, District development Commissioner Kathua, Ramesh Kumar, SSP Kathua, Neeva Jain, ADDC, Manmohan Singh, ACD, Dr. Sunil Sharma, DPO Anil Thakur besides Sarpanch, Panchs and people in large numbers were present on the occasion.