Stressing on further expanding the realm of activities in rural areas, Commissioner Secretary, Rural Development Department and Panchayati Raj, Mandeep Kaur, exhorted upon the Assistant Commissioners of Development (ACDs) to undertake maximum works under MGNREGA in convergence with other departments like Forests, Agriculture, Horticulture.Commissioner Secretary was speaking in a meeting held at Directorate, Rural Development, Srinagar, to review progress achieved by the department under various centrally sponsored schemes.The meeting was attended by Director Rural Development, Kashmir, Tariq Zargar, Superintending Engineer, REW, Additional District Development Commissioner Pulwama and Executive Engineers REW of the division while Director Panchayati Raj and ADDCs of Kashmir division participated through video conferencing.
Threadbare discussion was held on various issues pertaining to department like rationalization of staff including recently appointed Panchayat Accounts Assistants, strengthening of PRI system, physical and financial status of MGNREGA, PMAY (G), UT Capex, RGSA etc. The role of ACDs, ACPs, and ADDCs in implementation of the flagship programmes was also discussed.While reviewing works under MGNREGA, Commissioner Secretary instructed the officers concerned to close all the incomplete works by 31st March, 2022.Taking a strong note of delays in disbursement of payment under the scheme, Kaur asked the ADDCs, who are the nodal officers for delay compensation, to implement the provision of compensation system and pensalise the concerned officer/official accordingly. She also asked the ADDCs to conduct a monthly review of delays occurring in payment of wages.Pertinently, as per the provisions of the Act the disbursement of wages cannot be delayed for more than a fortnight after the date on which the work has been done.
Besides, the officers were also directed to ensure 100 percent geo-tagging of all assets being created under MGNREGA and other schemes.Regarding PMAY (G), Kaur impressed upon the officers that the scheme is the topmost priority of the Union government and J&K UT. Various technical issues regarding PMAY (G) portal were discussed in detail and an orientation programme was lined up for Tuesday with the technical team of MoRD to resolve all the queries.Kaur also instructed the officers to be hands-on with the portal themselves rather than relying merely on the subordinate staff.Laying special emphasis on improving transparency in functioning of the department, Kaur directed the officers to display the lists and complete details of all development works being undertaken in the Panchayat to be at prominent public places particularly at the Panchayat Ghars.ADDCs, who are also designated as nodal officers for improving infrastructure at the Gram Panchayat level, were asked to take stock of functioning of the Panchayat Ghars with special focus on ensuring that all Bhavans are connected digitally.