Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Law and Justice, Abdul Haq Khan, exhorted upon the officers to speed up the pace of various development projects being executed in the district besides asking them to perform duties with dedication and responsibility.The Minister said this while chairing a review meeting of rural development and line departments here today.Abdul Haq Khan further enjoined upon the officers to meet and exceed expectations of public and remain available to them for redressing their grievances, ensuring maximum benefits to the people by involving them through ‘Gram Sabha’. He assured that the government is committed for the welfare and prosperity of the people by involving them in every sphere of development process.The Minister said that government is working hard to bring RD department to the forefront by working in an open, transparent and corruption free manner. He further said that the state is performing commendably in MGNREGA at national level which has been made possible by contributed efforts of the people and the department.
The Minister also informed that there is no dearth of funds under convergence, 13FC, 14FC, MGNREGA and SBM for development activities and government is making full efforts to optimally utilize these resources for maximum output.
The Minister informed that the state Government, under project ‘Himayat’, will impart short-term six month, nine month and twelve month skill development training to unemployed youth so that they can secure stable employments.The Minister also reviewed block and panchayat wise performance and took stock of physical and financial achievements under various schemes. Review of job cards, person days generated, water conservation, sanitation, convergence of MGNREGA with schemes of other departments were the issues on which the Minister laid optimum thrust. Earlier, ACD Kathua Sunil Sharma gave an overview of various development works being undertaken by the department and briefed about the physical and financial achievements for the year 2015-16 and 2016-17 under various schemes. He also apprised the meeting of concerted efforts being made by the department for rejuvenation of natural water bodies and rural connectivity.
MLA Kathua Rajiv Jasrotia emphasized on better co-ordination for development among various departments. He asked for early clearance of liability raised through MGNREGA. He also laid stress on the involvement of all stakeholders in the planning process.
MLA Hiranagar Kuldeep Raj also stressed for proper verification of beneficiaries under PMAY and called for effective implementation of various schemes.MLA Bani Jeevan Lal called for giving special attention towards hilly and far flung area of Bani constituency and emphasized for equal distribution of funds to various constituencies under 13 FC. DDC Kathua Ramesh Kumar, Director Rural Development Pardeep Kumar, PO DRDA, PO IWMP, CEO Kathua Balbir Singh, XEN REW, DPO Kathua Pardeep Kumar, BDOs and VLWs were present on the occasion.Meanwhile, the Minister inaugurated Panchayat ghars at Govindsar-B, Block Kathua and Budhi North, block Barnoti District Kathua under convergence of 13 FC and MGNREGA constructed with Rs.20 lakh each.The Minister also attended public meeting at village Govindsar and took stock of various problems being faced by the people. He assured that concerted efforts will be made to provide resolution to the concerns put forth by them.He also inspected various development works being taken up by the department.