SRINAGAR: Secretary, Rural Development department (RDD) and Panchayati Raj Department, Mohammad Aijaz Asad today conducted a comprehensive review of MGNREGA implementation across Jammu and Kashmir, with a focus on key performance indicators (KPIs), Project UNNATI, timely wage payments, and strengthening social audits.
The meeting was attended by Director RDD Kashmir, Shabir Hussain Bhat; Director RDD Jammu, Shahnaz Akhter; Chief Operating Officer Himayat, Rajneesh Gupta; Superintending Engineers (REW) of Jammu and Kashmir; all Assistant Commissioners Development (ACDs); Executive Engineers (REW); Director Social Audit Unit; MGNREGA officials; and District Resource Persons (DRPs).
Highlighting the critical role of MGNREGA in sustaining rural livelihoods and economic resilience, the Secretary urged districts to prioritize works that create durable and meaningful assets for local communities.
He underscored greater accountability at the district level, reminding that ACDs serve as nodal officers for all Rural Development schemes.
“Responsibility of timely monitoring and supervision lies squarely with the ACDs,” he said, calling for full ownership of planning, monitoring, and execution.
The Secretary directed all districts to complete e-KYC for every registered MGNREGA worker, active or inactive, by October 31, 2025.
He further instructed that all pending works from previous financial years be physically completed to reflect actual progress on the ground.
To ensure stronger on-ground accountability, the Secretary emphasized on intensified monitoring of worksites through the Area Officer App, directing DC-DPCs, ACDCs, ADPCs, and BDOs to use the application regularly for real-time supervision and timely intervention.
Expressing concern over backlogs in social audit observations from FY 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25, the Secretary directed for its immediate resolution, while stressing for swift action on all pending cases with the Social Audit Unit (SAU), including financial misappropriation matters, to safeguard the integrity of the scheme.
Earlier, Additional Secretary, RDD gave a detailed overview of MGNREGA’s implementation status and district-wise KPIs.