SRINAGAR: The Secretary of the Rural Development Department (RDD) and Panchayati Raj, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary on Monday conducted an extensive review of the Annual Action Plan and Labour Budget of MGNREGA for the fiscal year 2024-25, focusing on the districts of Srinagar, Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama, and Shopian.
The secretary highlighted the importance of making convergence a priority in all allied works, stressing the significance of realistic planning and quality work. The meeting delved into crucial aspects, emphasizing the creation of community assets, assistance for vulnerable segments of society, and the prioritization of projects that directly contribute to community welfare. Notably, a specific focus was placed on Category B works, centring on the management of natural resources and the well-being of vulnerable sections.
Dr Shahid urged mutual communication, trust, and commitment to overcome these challenges. He urged a concerted effort to address issues hindering the effective collaboration of different departments. A roadmap for the upcoming year was presented, and the need for a mission-mode approach was discussed.
The secretary expressed appreciation for the efforts made so far but emphasized the importance of achieving better results, especially in areas facing difficulties. The issue of convergence, where funds from different departments are expected to converge for effective project execution, was a central theme. Concerns were raised about the lack of funding from certain line departments, hindering the progress of convergence plans. Additionally, challenges in the convergence process, such as the dual funding system, were addressed.
Dr Shahid stressed the need for technical convergence and expressed concern over the insufficient flow of funds, especially from key departments like agriculture. Dr Shahid emphasized the necessity of allocating 60% of expenditures towards agriculture and related activities, underscoring the pivotal role this plays in advancing the agricultural sector for holistic community development.
Additionally, the Secretary stressed the significance of ensuring prompt wage payments through the Aadhaar Based Payment System, aiming to enhance transparency and accountability. The discussions also delved into crucial topics such as conducting social audits and investing in training and skill development programs to promote the personal growth of the workforce involved in MGNREGA initiatives.
The formulated plan outlined strategies for enhancing land productivity, improving livelihoods through diverse agricultural activities, and reclaiming fallow or unused lands. The meetings also addressed additional concerns such as Geo-tagging, National MGNREGS Management System (NMMS) usage, and the resolution of issues related to social audits. Secretary in Rural Development Department, Tariq Ahmad Zargar also suggested measures to streamline the convergence plan with a focus on addressing funding gaps and enhancing cooperation between various departments. He encouraged innovative solutions and called for a unified approach to tackle challenges and improve performance indicators.
The meeting was also attended by the Director RDD, Kashmir, Shabir Hussain Bhat, Additional Secretary RDD, Waseem Raja and Assistant Commissioner Development (ACDs) from different districts of Kashmir Division.
