Underlining the need for creation of sustainable assets under MGNREGA to strengthen the connectivity network in rural area and to develop them at par with urban areas, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Abdul Haq khan today directed Deputy Commissioners of Rajouri and Poonch districts to make out comprehensive plans based on projected demands for the work needed to be taken up under convergence plan so that rural populace gets maximum benefits of rural development schemes.The Minister was chairing a meeting of senior officers of district administration of Rajouri and Poonch district along with sectoral officers of Rural Development Department convened to review the functioning and achievements registered in Rajouri and Poonch districts under Rural Development schemes.
Deputy Chairman Legislative Council, Jahangir Mir, Vice Chairperson, Pahari Advisory Board, Kuldeep Raj Gupta, MLAs, Qamar Choudhary, Ravinder Raina, Javaid Raina, MLCs, Vibodh Gupta and Yashpal Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, Poonch, Haroon Malik, Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri, Shabir Ahmed Bhat, Director Rural Development, Jammu, M.L Raina and other seniors officers were present in the meeting.Speaking on the occasion, the Minister laid stress on taking up works like construction of foot bridges , culverts , pacca path ,link roads in every Panchayat so as to give a new face to rural areas and make them at par with urban areas. He added that creating such facilities at rural level will check migration. He asked officers to create tanks, ponds, wells and revive traditional water conservation structures under MGNREGA so as to take care of drinking water needs of that particular area.Reviewing in detail various work taken up in all the Panchayat of these districts, the Minister impressed upon the officers to maintain quality standards while executing the works. He said that he will personally carry out surprise visits to ensure whether his directions were implemented on ground or not.
Regarding IAY,the Minister directed the ACD's to ensure the construction of houses on approved model only. He also announced that 'state level Panchayat award 'will be given by the end of this financial year to those officials who will perform with dedication and asked all the officials present there to put their best efforts while executing developmental work as it is their work which will give them identity in the department .Underscoring the need to provide better civic facilities to the people living in rural pockets, the Minister directed the concerned to ensure construction of latrine points under norm to the households with no sanitary facilities so as to make this state 100% open defecation free besides he asked the field functionaries to ensure complete ban on use of polythene in their Panchayats and directed the BDOs to challan offender to implement this in letter and spirit. He directed the DCs to send action taken report in this regard to his office on monthly basis.