Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, on Tuesday said that Jammu and Kashmir has achieved a significant milestone in implementing the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), with an 85% completion rate.
During a review meeting, the Secretary highlighted this significant milestone in implementation of rural housing scheme, expressing confidence that the remaining targets would be achieved by March 31st, despite challenging weather conditions in the hilly regions.
"Even with snowfall affecting construction in high altitude areas, our dedication towards providing 'Housing for All' remains unwavering," asserted the Secretary, emphasising that extraordinary challenges require extraordinary solutions.
The Secretary outlined a robust strategy to maintain this momentum, including weekly assessments and comprehensive monitoring systems. He said that the focus remains on ensuring that every eligible family receives their home by the end of March, supported by meticulous financial planning and efficient fund utilisation.
Asad commended the outstanding performance of many districts, where completion rates have exceeded 90%. He urged other districts to emulate their success by addressing bottlenecks and improving performance metrics.
He also gave a roadmap for timely completion of all houses by March 31, with district officers tasked to oversee progress closely. The Secretary highlighted that since its inception in 2016, over 3.35 lakh houses have been sanctioned in Jammu and Kashmir, with 2.85 lakh already completed.
He said a record-breaking number of 67,780 houses have been completed in 2024-25, so far, and an additional figure of 82,000 houses will be completed by March end. The Secretary directed the officers to conduct weekly assessments, setting specific goals for Fund Transfer Orders (FTOs) generation and completion of under construction houses.
He emphasised the need for proactive management and urged the administration to intensify monitoring efforts, especially at the block level and Panchayat level. He instructed all the Assistant Commissioners Development (ACDs) to ensure regular tracking of the scheme’s progress.
The Secretary revealed that a significant number of recovery cases remain unresolved across districts and instructed officials to compile a detailed list and ensure timely follow-up. He emphasised the importance of consistent monitoring, tasking officials to oversee first and third instalment cases.
The meeting was attended by Director, Rural Development Department (RDD) Jammu, Mohammad Mumtaz Ali; Joint Director Planning, Kamal Kumar; Assistant Commissioners of Development (ACDs) and Block Development Officers (BDOs) from the eight districts of Jammu division.