SRINAGAR: Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Mohammad Aijaz Asad on Wednesday directed district authorities to assess damage to Rural Development Department (RDD) infrastructure caused by recent flash floods, landslides and heavy rainfall, and prioritise restoration under the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-GRAM-G).
Chairing a review meeting on the implementation of the scheme, Asad said the department would approach the Union Ministry of Rural Development for additional financial assistance, enhanced person-day allocation and operational relaxations to support restoration works and generate employment in calamity-affected areas.
He directed Assistant Commissioners Development to undertake a comprehensive assessment of damage to RDD assets, including rural roads, culverts, cross-drainage structures, drainage systems, crossing points and public buildings, particularly in the worst-affected districts of Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, Kishtwar, Bandipora and Budgam.
Asad said restoration of damaged public assets should receive priority and asked the districts to estimate the additional person-days that could be generated through the restoration works to support affected rural households.
The meeting was informed that 9.01 lakh person-days had been generated across Jammu and Kashmir during the first 20 days of July under the newly launched employment guarantee programme.
The Secretary also directed the Directors of Rural Development to closely monitor employment generation, damage assessment and restoration planning. He asked district officials to prepare quarterly financial and physical plans, expedite billing and execution of works, clear pending Geo-MGNREGA cases, dispose of pending Fund Transfer Orders (FTOs), submit utilisation certificates and ensure timely expenditure of available funds.
The meeting was attended by senior officers of the Rural Development Department, including the Directors of Rural Development for Kashmir and Jammu, Assistant Commissioners Development and Executive Engineers.
