Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Law & Justice, Abdul Haq Khan said that ban on polythene bags should be strictly implemented in rural areas with imposition of harsh penalties on the defaulters.The Minister said this while chairing a high level meeting to review the functioning of Rural Development Department here today.While addressing the meeting, the Minister directed the concerned officers to ensure that all the developmental schemes are executed timely and efficiently to the benefit of common masses.The Minister instructed the officers to ensure proper monitoring and execution of various RDD schemes including IAY, MGNREGA, RHS, SGSY, Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan and IWDP at district levels. Haq Khan stressed upon the officers for maintaining transparency and generating awareness among the people about welfare schemes being executed by the centre and state government in rural areas. He also emphasized that Monitoring Information System (MIS) of the Department should be updated regularly. He stressed that tangible results should be visible on ground.
Speaking on solid waste management, the Minister directed the concerned to construct sheds in one Panchayat per block. He also asked for constituting a committee in this regard to work out the related modalities.The Minister also reviewed the achievements under Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) and asked the concerned authorities to mobilize manpower within the department for effective implementation of projects in all districts.He also directed for chalking out effective plans for carrying out works in convergence with the MGNREGA. He further asked the concerned officers to concentrate more on development of infrastructure besides employment generation.The Minister was informed by the Director NRLM that several innovative measures have been initiated to ensure phase wise implementation of Livelihood Mission UMEED to cover all blocks.The Minister further asked the concerned to ensure effective implementation of NRLM scheme to generate employment opportunities for unemployed youth living in rural and far-flung areas of the state.Among others Secretary, Rural Development Department & Panchayati Raj, Nirmal Sharma, Mission Director, NRLM, G. N. Qasba, Director RDD, RK Bhat, Director Rural Sanitation, AR Gassi, Superintending Engineer Jammu Division and all ACDs, Executive Engineers and DPOs of Jammu division were present on the occasion.