Secretary, Rural Development Department and Panchayati Raj (RDD&PR), Mohammad Aijaz Asad, presided over a meeting on Friday to discuss pivotal matters including the formulation of MGNREGA Annual Action Plan (AAP) for 2025-26, land availability for new Panchayat Bhawans, providing of caste data to the OBC Commission, and identification of land for Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs).
The meeting was attended by all District Development Commissioners of J&K, Director RDD Kashmir, Shabir Hussain Bhat, Director RDD Jammu, Mumtaz Ali, Director Panchayati Raj, Sham Lal, Director Finance, Umar Khan, Joint Director Planning, Kamal Kumar Sharma, Additional Secretary RD&PR, Waseem Raja, Superintending Engineer REW Kashmir, Er. Aamir Ali, Superintending Engineer REW Jammu, Er Rajesh Kumar, all Assistant Commissioner Development (ACDs), ACPs and others.
While chairing the meeting, the Secretary highlighted the standing instructions to be followed while submitting material liabilities under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Aijaz Asad also directed all district officials to initiate the preparation of Annual Action Plans (AAPs) for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for the year 2025-26.
He also discussed the district-wise identification of suitable land for the construction of Panchayat Ghars. The Secretary urged District Development Commissioners to identify land promptly to expedite the construction process of Panchayat Ghars.
He asked officials to expedite the identification of state land. In cases where state land is unavailable, community land donations with proper affidavits are being encouraged.Aijaz Asad also highlighted the urgency of providing caste data to the OBC Commission by Deputy Commissioners.
The Secretary discussed the challenges faced in acquiring land for Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs) in Jammu and Reasi. Aijaz Asad urged all District Development Commissioners to assist in identifying suitable land for Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs).
However, he acknowledged challenges in obtaining construction permits due to land ownership issues and zoning regulations in certain districts like Jammu and Reasi. The Secretary urged Assistant Commissioners of Development (ACDs) in Doda and Anantnag to expedite the implementation of Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) projects to enhance water resource management and rural livelihoods.