Secretary, Rural Development Department (RDD)and Panchayati Raj, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, today chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the implementation of flagship initiatives under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA).
The review covered progress under the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0, construction of Panchayat Ghars (PGs), co-location of Common Service Centres (CSCs), functioning of Panchayat Learning Centres (PLCs), Model Women-Friendly Panchayats, geo-tagging of Panchayat Ghars through the Meri Panchayat App, and audit compliance for 2021–22.
The Secretary was informed that 90 percent of data entry under PAI 2.0 has been completed, with 3,868 Gram Panchayats (GPs) having started the process out of a total of 4,291 GPs. He directed Assistant Commissioners Panchayat (ACPs) to ensure 100 percent completion within two to three days and emphasized validation through Gram Sabhas and block-level committees by September 5, so that the state can share verified data with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj by September 10.
On the status of Panchayat Ghars, the Secretary expressed concern over delays in land identification in certain districts and asked ACPs to coordinate with Deputy Commissioners to resolve land availability issues at the earliest, underscoring that no Panchayat should remain excluded due to lack of land.
With regard to co-location of CSCs, it was noted that 93 percent completion has been achieved. The Secretary directed field officers to bridge the remaining gap to ensure universal coverage. He also reviewed the status of Panchayat Learning Centres (PLCs), instructing Kupwara district to immediately operationalize its pending centre.
Taking stock of the Model Women-Friendly Panchayats initiative, the Secretary directed that quarterly data be carefully scrutinized and validated at the state level for timely submission. He informed that 20 such Panchayats have already been established and further work is in progress.
On the issue of audit compliance, the Secretary urged ACPs to download Audit Online reports for 2021–22 from the designated portal and respond promptly in a time-bound manner. The meeting was attended by Directors of RDD Kashmir and Jammu, Shabir Hussain Bhat and Shehnaz Akhtar; Director Panchayati Raj, Sham Lal; Director Finance, Umar Khan; Superintending Engineers REW Kashmir and Jammu; Deputy Secretary, Tahir Ahmad Magray; ACPs, BDOs, Executive Engineers.