Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Abdul Haq, Sundaysaid that symbiotic relationship between the youth and the Government can do wonders and will help in sustainable development of the State.The Minister made these remarks while presiding over a meeting to review functioning of the Rural Development Department in Baramulla today.The meeting was informed that as many as 86375 unemployed and unskilled youths of Baramulla district have registered themselves with the Department for various works under MGNREGA. It was said that job cards were issued in their favour and Rs 40.06 crore were disbursed among them as labour charges, besides the Department generated 14.37 lakh mandays during the previous fiscal.On the occasion, the Minister said that the Government is working on infrastructural development to lay path for overall development and progress of the State. He said MGNERGA has proven beneficial for providing employment avenues to the youths.
He added that 36712 households in the district were provided jobs last year and assured that more unemployment youths will get job opportunities this fiscal.While reviewing progress of various works under MGNERGA, the Minister was briefed that the Department 6641 developmental works were taken up during last year at the cost of Rs 70.87 crore including the spillover works, out of which 6575 works have been completed till date.It was given out that under IAY, 1483 units were taken up for execution out of which 671 units were completed by the end of the last year.Giving details about the geo-tagging of the RDD assets, the meeting was told that the Department has geo-tagged 15333 assets, so far, besides new technology has been introduced to monitor the assets of the Department online to ensure greater transparency.During the meeting, Abdul Haq said that new initiatives taken by the Department will change the dynamics of rural areas, and will blur the rural-urban divide.
He said several innovative initiatives have been taken to make the functioning of the Department more accountable and transparent, with the aim that the benefits of development schemes reach to the rural masses well in time.He asked the officers to avoid concrete constructions in villages as it harms the eco system of the villages. He asked them to use traditional ways instead and stressed on use of simple, easy and affordable technological solutions and institutional arrangements that make use of, and build upon, local technical knowledge and available materials.He stressed the officials to ensure ban on polythene in rural areas asked them to use labour under MGNREGA to dispose waste besides constructing vermin-composts.The Minister further stated that under MGNREGA, he has directed the officials to stop traditional works like construction of lanes and drains and instead focus on the rural connectivity. He said the roads are the key to development and that construction of roads and bridges under MGNREGA will help the rural population to develop.