Minister for Rural Development Panchayati Raj, Law and Justice, Abdul Haq Khan reviewed the progress under Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) and National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) at an officers meeting here today.While addressing the meeting, the Minister directed the concerned officers to ensure that all the flagship programs are implemented effectively so that benefits percolate to the common masses. He instructed them to keep a strict vigil on quality and quantity of the works being executed by them as per the guidelines. While reviewing achievements under IWMP, Haq Khan asked the concerned authorities to work with utmost zeal and dedication for effective implementation of projects in each district.The Minister had a detailed review of IWMP in each district of Jammu division. He directed the officers for carrying out plantation alongside the water harvesting tanks and create nurseries to develop green wealth.
Chief Executive Officer IWMP informed the meeting that till date 159 projects have been approved by Government of India under 4 batches from the year 2011-12 to 2014-15 with project cost of Rs. 979.72 crores to treat an area of 653151 Ha under watershed component of PMKSY.
The Minister asked the concerned to take the assistance of experts to bring new concepts to treat water and its allied components for proper implementation of IWMP.The Minister while reviewing progress under NRLM said that the implementation of National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) in the state has been very visible in bringing positive changes in the lives of the poor.The Minister said that the Scheme has already brought great hope for poor especially women to raise their status. He also said the Government has taken various initiatives for ensuring overall development of rural and far flung areas in the state.The Minister was informed that NRLM programme is under implementation in 41 blocks of 22 districts and over 1 lakh poor women in many families have been brought under the ambit of the programme.
The Minister while reviewing the progress under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan said this national level campaign run by Government of India aims to cover all the backward statutory towns to make them clean.
The Minister was apprised that under Swachh Bharat Mission, 4373 Individual House Hold Latrine (IHHL) have been constructed till September this year. It was further informed that 40 panchayats of Jammu district would be Open Defecation Free (ODF) by December ending.The Minister stressed upon regular updation of Management Information System for effective monitoring and feedback.Secretary to the Government, Department of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Kifayat Hussain Rizvi, Secretary RDD Kuldeep Lal Khajuria, Mission Director J&K NRLM Dr. G. N. Qasba, Chief Executive Officer IWMP Ch. Rashid Azam Inqalabi, Director Rural Sanitation M. R. Gasi, Additional Mission Director Kapil Sharma, Project Officers of IWMP, DPOs, and senior officers of RDD attended the meeting.