The two member UNDP team comprising Country Director, UNDP, Jaco Cilliers and Assistant Country Director & Head Democratic Governance Unit, Ms. Sumeeta Banerji today called on Chief Secretary, Iqbal Khandey to discuss the current projects of the J&K Government and explore how best UNDP can support in the better implementation of these projects.Appreciating UNDP’s technical assistance in the implementation of various development and welfare programmes, Chief Secretary said skill development of youth and human resource management in school education can be areas where UNDP can support the State to put in place a better operational mechanism.
Responding positively to the request by the State Government in providing assistance in preparing the J&K Human Development Report-2016, Mr Cilliers said UNDP shall provide assistance needed for the purpose.Principal Secretary, Planning and Development, Mr. B. R. Sharma, Principal Secretary, Forests, Mr. R. K. Gupta, Commissioner Secretary, Finance, Mr. Navin Kumar Choudhary, Commissioner Secretary, School Education, Mr. Shaleen Kabra, Secretary Social Welfare, Mr. Sanjeev Verma, Secretary Rural Development, Mr. Khurshid Ahmed Shah, Managing Director Women’s Development Corporation, Dr. Nahid Soz and other senior officers were also present in the meeting.
“UNDP is working very closely with NITI Aayog and different Ministries as well as State departments” Mr. Cilliers said, while informing the Chief Secretary about UNDP partnerships.He said UNDP has had excellent partnership over the years with the Government of Jammu and Kashmir in various areas like National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), designing the capacity building programme for PRIs, supporting Women’s Development Corporation in capacity building of women groups for product design besides a study has also been commissioned with University of Kashmir to develop strategy and action plan for ecological security of the Dal Lake.
“Once the report is ready, it shall be shared with the J&K Government” he said.He said UNDP could also provide implementation support to the State Government in skill development, Human Resource Management, Protection and Conservation of Biodiversity including Medicinal Plants, strengthening local governance, Tourism, electrification & energy etc.Mr. Cilliers said UNDP could provide Development Support Services (DSS) to scale up Government programme implementation.“Based on discussions with the State Government departments, UNDP will draft customized proposal for finalization” he added.