Srinagar: Secretary, Rural Development Department and Panchayati Raj Mohammad Aijaz Asad on Wednesday directed officials to prioritise labour-intensive works under MGNREGA to enhance employment generation and strengthen rural livelihoods across Jammu and Kashmir.
He was chairing a comprehensive review meeting to assess progress under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana–Gramin and ongoing UT Capex works for the financial year 2026–27.
The meeting reviewed progress related to estimates, person-day generation, geotagging of assets, irrigation works, pending material claims and e-KYC of workers under MGNREGA. Progress under the “One Panchayat, One Playground” initiative, Yuktdhara planning and PMAY-G implementation was also discussed.
The meeting was attended by Director RDD Kashmir Riyaz Ahmad Wani, Director RDD Jammu Shahnaz Akhtar and other senior officers.
During the review, the secretary stressed that employment generation remains central to strengthening rural livelihoods and directed Assistant Commissioners Development to expedite execution of approved works and ensure timely opening of worksites.
He further directed both RDD directors to personally monitor person-day generation across districts and ensure acceleration in the pace of work execution.
Aijaz Asad also instructed officers to separately identify and prioritise desilting works and other labour-intensive activities to maximise employment opportunities under MGNREGA.
Reviewing the status of estimates, he expressed concern over delays in technical approvals and directed district officers to expedite the process.
Regarding the “One Panchayat, One Playground” initiative, officials informed that 2,402 Gram Panchayats already have playgrounds, while proposals for uncovered panchayats have been incorporated in the Annual Action Plan for 2026–27.
The secretary directed that every Gram Panchayat should have at least one playground to promote sports and recreational activities among youth.
He asked officers to coordinate with deputy commissioners to identify suitable land for playground development in uncovered panchayats.
Reviewing the status of e-KYC, officials informed the meeting that e-KYC of more than 18.11 lakh workers has been completed out of 20.94 lakh registered workers across the Union Territory.
The meeting also reviewed progress under Yuktdhara planning and GeoMGNREGA tagging. Officials informed that over 6.13 lakh assets had been accepted, while around 20,535 cases remain pending.
Special emphasis was laid on desilting of irrigation khuls under MGNREGA in convergence with the Irrigation and Flood Control Department.
Officials informed that 805 irrigation-related works had been taken up in the Kashmir division, while 89 works were under execution in the Jammu division.
During the PMAY-G review meeting, it was informed that out of 3.35 lakh sanctioned houses, more than 3.24 lakh have been completed, achieving 97 per cent completion across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting also reviewed progress of UT Capex works, including Panchayat infrastructure projects, DDC and BDC office buildings, residential accommodations and Panchayat Ghars.
