The Rural Development Department will construct a community hall in each constituency which can be used by the people of the area for social functions and other events.This was announced by Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Mr Abdul Haq at Verinag in this south Kashmir district, while addressing one-day Panchayat Conference-cum-Review meeting of the Rural Development Department.The meeting was convened to acquaint Panchayat members about the latest initiatives taken by the Government for effective implementation of MGNREGS and its convergence with other allied sectors like agriculture, R&B, flood control, animal husbandry, social forestry, watershed management, IAY and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan under “My Village, My World” programme.MLA Dooru, Mr Syed Farooq Ahmad Indrabi, DDC Anantnag, Munir-ul-Islam; BDOs and concerned functionaries of Rural Development Department were present. Besides, members of PRIs in a large numbers participated in the conference cum awareness camp.
The Minister said that under the 13th Finance Commission Award around Rs 800 crore are available to the Rural Development Department which are being utilized for construction of community halls in rural areas.Mr Haq said empowerment of Panchayat Raj Institutions and creation of basic infrastructure in these institutions is the top priority of the government led by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. He said developmental plans for rural areas are being framed in consultation with Panchayat members taking into consideration the ground realities and requirements.Mr Haq reiterated the government’s resolve to work for comprehensive development of rural areas on all fronts with renewed vigor so that everyone is benefitted at the grassroots level.
Deliberating on the aim of organizing the awareness camp , the Minister said that the main objective of the camp is to make PR members aware about the changing perspectives, guidelines and transparent execution of both the Central and State-sponsored welfare programmes being run by Rural Development Department.He said convergence of MGNREGS is aimed at optimizing the resources for creation of durable and productive assets and securing livelihood of rural households with the resources of other programmes/schemes available with the Department of Rural Development & Panchayat Raj and other Departments.The Minister also gave a brief account of the recently launched initiatives on rural development like “My Village, My World” program and urged the PR members for its proper implementation. He said planned development of rural areas, making J&K polythene-free, and upkeep and preservation/conservation of the water resources is the need of the hour for sustainable future.Mr Haq urged the PR members to take these initiatives to the grassroots level.Minister reiterated that liabilities with regard to MGNREGS, IAY and other programmes have been cleared to a greater extent. He further said that rampant corruption, red-tapism and nepotism will not be tolerated at any cost.The experts present in the conference deliberated on various issues including the organization of Gram Sabhas, decentralized plan formulation and bringing the government initiatives at the doorsteps of the people.