Secretary RDD pushes labour-intensive works to boost MGNREGA employment generation

SRINAGAR : Secretary, Rural Development Department (RDD) and Panchayati Raj, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, chaired a comprehensive review meeting on Wednesday to assess the progress of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana–Gramin (PMAY-G), and ongoing UT Capex works for the financial year 2026–27.
The meeting reviewed the implementation of MGNREGA during FY 2026–27, including the status of estimates, person-day generation, geotagging of assets, irrigation works, pending material claims, and e-KYC of workers. Progress under the One Panchayat One Playground initiative, Yuktdhara planning, PMAY-G implementation, and ongoing UT Capex works was also discussed.
The meeting was attended by Director RDD Kashmir Riyaz Ahmad Wani, Director RDD Jammu Shahnaz Akhtar, Additional Secretary Waseem Raja, Superintending Engineers (REW) Jammu/Kashmir, Assistant Commissioners Development (ACDs), Executive Engineers (REW), and other officers.
During the review, the Secretary directed all ACDs to place substantial emphasis on person-day generation under MGNREGA, reiterating that employment generation remains central to strengthening rural livelihoods and providing economic support to vulnerable households.
He stressed that field functionaries should expedite the execution of approved works, ensure timely opening of worksites, and facilitate demand-driven labour engagement at the grassroots level to achieve intended outcomes.
Aijaz Asad further directed both Directors of RDD to personally monitor person-day generation across all districts and ensure a significant acceleration in the pace of work execution.
The Secretary instructed officers to separately identify and prioritise desilting works and other labour-intensive activities so that labour-oriented works are taken up on priority to enhance employment generation under MGNREGA.
Reviewing the status of estimates under MGNREGA, 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 requiring new playgrounds have been incorporated in the Annual Action Plan (AAP) for 2026–27.
The Secretary directed that every Gram Panchayat should have at least one playground to promote sports and create recreational spaces for youth.
He asked the officers to coordinate with the Deputy Commissioners concerned to ensure availability of suitable land for development of playgrounds in Panchayats where such facilities are not available.
He also reviewed the progress of e-KYC of MGNREGA workers. It was informed that e-KYC of over 18.11 lakh workers has been completed out of 20.94 lakh registered workers across the UT.
While reviewing Yuktdhara planning, Aijaz Asad directed districts to ensure swift conversion of planned works into active projects. The meeting noted that works from the Yuktdhara portal had been received from 79 percent of Gram Panchayats across the UT.
Progress under Phase-I and Phase-II of GeoMGNREGA tagging was also assessed. Officials informed that over 6.13 lakh assets had been accepted, while around 20,535 cases remain pending for further action.
Special emphasis was laid on the desilting of irrigation khuls under MGNREGA and convergence with the Irrigation and Flood Control Department. It was reported that 805 irrigation-related works had been taken up across Kashmir division, while 89 works were under execution in Jammu division.
Reviewing PMAY-G, officials informed that out of 3.35 lakh sanctioned houses, over 3.24 lakh houses had been completed, achieving 97 percent completion across Jammu and Kashmir, with pending houses to be completed in a month.
The meeting also reviewed the progress of ongoing UT Capex works, including community development and Panchayat infrastructure projects, DDC and BDC office buildings, residential accommodations, and Panchayat Ghars.