Javid Ahmad Dar reviews RDD functioning, calls for transparent, people-centric reforms

JAMMU : Minister for Agriculture Production Department, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, on Wednesday said that assets developed under rural programs must serve the public interest, adhere to the stipulated annual timelines and genuinely reflect the needs of local communities.
During a review meeting in Jammu, the Minister evaluated progress on key programs, including the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin, SBM-G including O&M Policy, RGSA, WDC-PMKSY-2.0 ( IWMP), Infrastructure for DDC/BDC and DDU-GKY-Himayat.
The Minister stressed that any reform required in the RDD would be taken up immediately to meet people’s expectations, adding that “70 percent of public sentiment revolves around the performance of rural development programmes and we cannot afford any compromise.”
Javid Dar expressed concern over issues faced by the marginalised families under MGNREGA. He directed the officials to ensure timely payments, 100% e-KYC completion and strict monitoring of works. He highlighted persistent water scarcity in the upper Jammu kandi belt and said that MGNREGA could be used effectively to create water conservation structures, improve irrigation channels and support land development.
“Water collected through conservation works must be channelled into productive assets and livelihoods,” he maintained.
The Minister noted that several beneficiaries under IAY/PMAY(G) had not received payments saying that the matter would be taken up with the Union Ministry for Rural Development. He directed the department to clear bottlenecks in delayed houses and ensure that genuine beneficiaries are not deprived.
Calling for seriousness and transparency at all levels, Dar said that the RDD must function with a “zero-compromise approach” towards corruption, delays and service inefficiencies.
Under MGNREGA, the Minister reviewed district-wise performance on timely payments, e-KYC completion, Aadhaar-based attendance, social audit coverage and asset creation.
The officials presented details of irrigation channels, panchayat paths, cattle sheds, wells, ponds, compost pits and desilting works executed during the current financial year.
The Minister stressed that MGNREGA must prioritise water conservation, land development and livelihood-oriented assets, particularly in drought-prone kandi areas.
Reviewing Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (Phase-II), the Minister examined ODF-Plus model village verification, door-to-door waste collection and construction of assets for solid and liquid waste management.
The officers apprised the Minister about the finalisation of J&K’s O&M Policy and FSSM Policy, both currently placed before the Cabinet for approval. He stressed that rural sanitation must improve through community waste systems, greywater management and 100% functional waste collection in all blocks.
Under the Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA), progress on Panchayat Ghars, land identification, Panchayat Learning Centres, People’s Plan Campaign (PPC) and fund utilisation under SNA-SPARSH was reviewed.
The Minister noted improvement in construction and upgradation of Panchayat Ghars but called for faster execution. He emphasized timely submission of data for the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI-2.0) and capacity-building programmes to strengthen grassroots governance.
The meeting discussed watershed development projects covering 69,493 hectares across 17 districts. The officials highlighted progress on natural resource management works, production systems, spring rejuvenation DPRs and integration with the treasury under SNA-SPARSH.
The Minister was informed about MoUs with Kashmir University, SKUAST-K and NIRDPR for spring mapping, DPR preparation and mid-term evaluation. He directed for timely tendering and execution of watershed works. He stressed the community participation under the Janbhagidari Watershed Cup initiative.
The Minister reviewed the physical and financial achievements under the DDC and BDC infrastructure development plan.
He directed that all district-level and block-level council buildings must adhere to quality standards and be fast-tracked to ensure functional spaces for grassroots governance.
Under Himayat, the Minister examined the physical and financial progress in placement-linked skill training programmes conducted for rural and urban youth.
The officials reported ongoing training, placement performance, fund utilisation and targets approved under DDU-GKY 2.0.
The Minister called for strengthening counselling, ensuring quality skill training and improving placement support so that more youth become economically independent.
Secretary, RDD, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, briefed the Minister on the status of ongoing initiatives and schemes aimed at rural development and improving rural life in Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was also attended by the Secretary in Department of RDD&PR, DG Rural Sanitation, J&K, Special Secretary, RDD, Director, Panchayati Raj, Director, RDD, Kashmir and Jammu, Chief Executive Officer, IWMP (PMKSY), Additional Secretary RDD, Assistant Commissioner(s) Development and Assistant Commissioner(s) Panchayats while Kashmir based officers participated through video conferencing.