JAMMU: The Secretary of the Rural Development Department and Panchayati Raj, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary held a detailed interaction with the Assistant Commissioners Development (ACD), Assistant Commissioners Panchayat (ACP) and Engineering head of Rural Engineering Wing (REW) for a comprehensive citizen-centric development planning and outreach. A review of flagship schemes and programs was also conducted during the meeting.
Dr Shahid asked the ACDs and ACPs to spearhead convergence and innovation in rural infrastructure development with great public participation. He discussed futuristic planning through the creation of outcome-oriented rural landscape development. The officers were asked for an immediate focus on the completion of the DDC and BDC office buildings, panchayat ghars and other community assets for the establishment of institutions of Local Self Government. The shortage of technical and engineering staff highlighted by the officers was also discussed for early resolution.
He held detailed deliberations with the Heads of Departments, ACDs and ACPs for transitioning the platform of “Block Diwas” towards a measurable service-delivery event for all the departments, making it more vibrant, inclusive and change-oriented. Officers were also asked to seek stakeholder suggestions for making Block Diwas more effective, upscaling the outcomes and performance evaluation of all the departments viz a viz service delivery leading to greater public confidence in the governance system.
ACDs and ACPs were asked to onboarding other departments particularly those related to rural infrastructure, farming and climate for convergent planning to maximise outcomes. They were also asked to initiate the process for formulation of a Development Plan for every Halqa Panchayat in line with the laid down guidelines. Social audit of the works executed and under execution was also emphasised. The rationalisation of wards in Halqa panchayats was also discussed during the meeting, seeking early proposals from the districts. The expeditious completion of PMAY housing units was also highlighted in the meeting.
The Secretary also asked the officers for an early rent assessment of all the office buildings hired for Panchayat Ghars, BDC and DDCs offices, and initiating steps for the vacation of Panchayat Ghars which are yet to be operationalised. The need for strengthening the planning capabilities of District Development Councils and inter-sectoral coordination was discussed in detail and officers asked for measures in this regard. Directors, Directorate of Rural Development Jammu/ Kashmir and Director Panchayati Raj shared a detailed presentation with ACDs and ACPs for progress under various schemes and steps required for targeted achievements under various schemes.
Secretary in RDD, Tariq Ahmed Zargar, Director, Panchayati Raj Sham Lal, Director Rural Development Jammu, Mumtaz Ahmed, Director Rural Development Kashmir, Shabir Ahmed Bhat, Addl Secretary, Sanjay Kumar Bhat, Jt Director Planning, Kamal Kumar Sharma and other senior officers were also present in the meeting and shared insights about various schemes including MGNREGS, SBM, PMAY and SBM.
