Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj Law and Justice Abdul Haq and Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura today distributed cheques among 386 beneficiaries of IAY and Swach Bharat Mission of Budgam district. The Ministers distributed cheques worth Rs 68.32 lakh among 198 beneficiaries of IAY and Rs 23 lakh among 188 beneficiaries under Swach Bharat Mission to construct Individual Household Latrines in their houses. Speaking on the occasion, Abdul Haq said Government has strengthened the monitoring system to bring transparency in implementation of various schemes and flagship programs in the State.The Minister said that Government has put a stop on the loot by bringing transparency, proper monitoring and accountability in the MGNREGA. Abdul Haq said the Government has taken several measures to bring transparency in implementation of Schemes and to curb corruption which includes Direct Benefit Transfer route for making payment of wages and various other innovative initiatives have been taken to make the functioning of the department accountable and transparent, with the aim that the benefits of the schemes could reach the rural masses well in time.The Minister said, for this purpose, he has directed officials to hold Gram Sabhas in open space in villages so that every villager could participate in it and be part of the policy making at grass root level. He said the RDD department is ensuring rural connectivity and has created a network of road links in rural areas for the benefit of the people.
Calling for widespread publicity of the various flagship programs and schemes, Abdul Haq said the educated youth of the state should be sensitized about the schemes launched for their welfare. He said that youth should come forward to avail the benefits of these schemes which would go a long way in reducing the unemployment in the state.Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura on the occasion said that housing for the poor is a priority area for the state Government led by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and that Government has declared the intention to provide a good quality house for all the people of the state.He asked the officers to work tirelessly on ground so that the schemes are implemented in letter and spirit on ground and right people get benefitted by these schemes.Mr. Hanjura said the present Government under the dynamic stewardship of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has changed the traditional procedure of governance by making it people centric in real sense. He said Government is keen to resolve the public grievances with good intentions and wants to reach out to the people to provide good governance to the people at their door steps.He also stressed upon the officers to increase people to people contact to inform public about various flagship programs for employment generation. The department of Rural Development plays an important role in the overall development of the state as majority of the people live in rural areas, he maintained.Among others who were present on the occasion included MLC Saiffudin, Deputy Commissioner Mir Altaf Ahmad, Director Rural Sanitation and other officers of the district administration.