Also inspects ongoing construction of DDC Office Building at Kanjigund

ANANTNAG: Secretary, Rural Development Department (RDD) and Panchayati Raj, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, today conducted comprehensive review of implementation of Rural Development schemes across Anantnag district.

During the meeting, the Secretary reviewed the progress of major programmes like MGNREGA, PMAY-G, NRLM, IWMP, and RGSA, besides assessing targets and achievements made under the UT Capex budget.

The meeting was attended by DG Rural Sanitation, Anu Malhotra; Mission Director NRLM, Shubhra Sharma; Director RDD Kashmir, Shabir Hussain Bhat; Director Panchayati Raj, Sham Lal; CEO IWMP, Rajnish Kumar; ACD Anantnag, ACP, BDOs and other senior officers.

The Secretary held detailed deliberations with the ACD, ACP, BDOs, and field officials, directing them to focus on time-bound achievement of all scheme-specific targets.

Reviewing MGNREGA for the current fiscal, it was informed that 20.21 lakh person-days have been generated.

The Secretary emphasized that MGNREGA is fundamentally a livelihood security programme and directed the district administration to ensure optimal utilization of available workforce so that every household seeking employment receives its entitled workdays without delay. He stressed that creation of durable and productive assets must remain central to MGNREGA planning.

Citing the development of a Play Field at Brad Block, Khoveripora as a model of community-focused asset creation, he instructed officials to prioritize works with long-term economic benefits in water conservation, land development, and rural infrastructure, while ensuring strict adherence to quality and technical standards.

Calling for stronger scheme convergence, the Secretary said that assets created under MGNREGA like compost pits and segregation sheds should complement Swachh Bharat Mission–Gramin (SBM-G). He also emphasized that individual-beneficiary works should align with NRLM to enhance agricultural productivity and support livelihoods.

Reviewing PMAY-G, it was informed that 10,324 houses have been completed, marking 94% progress.

Appreciating the district’s performance, the Secretary directed officers to ensure early completion of all sanctioned houses and expedite disbursement of pending instalments to beneficiaries to achieve the goal of Housing for All in rural Anantnag.

Under SBM-G, cumulative achievements indicated substantial improvement in rural sanitation. The Secretary instructed the district administration to ensure sustainability and regular maintenance of sanitation assets, enhance public utilization of community facilities, and strengthen door-to-door waste collection through optimal deployment of available machinery. He also stressed the importance of sustained behaviour-change communication to reinforce sanitation gains across all Gram Panchayats.

While reviewing the NRLM, Aijaz Asad highlighted its critical role in strengthening Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and improving access to finance and skills for rural women. He directed officials to reinforce the institutional framework of SHGs, ensure effective convergence with other schemes, expand livelihood opportunities, and promote micro-enterprises and market linkages, particularly for marginalized households.

Emphasizing on financial literacy and transparent credit flow, he said these are essential for sustainable grassroots economic growth.

Under RGSA, it was informed that 23 Panchayat Ghars have been completed out of the target of 33.

The Secretary stressed the need for continued capacity building of Panchayati Raj Institutions through training, skill development, and better planning processes.

Earlier, ACD Anantnag, Shafeeq Wani, gave a detailed presentation on the progress of RD&PR schemes in the district.

Later, the Secretary visited the DDC Office Building at Kanjigund, where he reviewed the ongoing construction works.

The DDC building is being constructed at an allotted cost of Rs 1.68 crore, with December 15 set as the fixed deadline for its handover.

He directed the district authorities to ensure timely completion of the project.