JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir government has spent Rs 35,342.92 lakh on the Back to Village (B2V) programme since its inception in 2019, with the initiative aiming to bridge the gap between the administration and the people at the grassroots level. The programme, implemented in multiple phases over the years, has sought to strengthen governance, enhance public participation, and ensure the effective delivery of welfare schemes. While officials claim significant achievements, the programme has also received thousands of complaints, raising questions about its overall effectiveness.
Launched in 2019, the Back to Village programme was introduced to empower panchayats, engage senior officials directly with villagers, and assess developmental needs. The initiative has been carried out in five phases, with each focusing on different aspects such as grievance redressal, implementation of social and employment schemes, and strengthening village-level governance. Government officials visiting villages have sought feedback on welfare measures, identified infrastructural gaps, and aimed to ensure transparency in governance.
The first phase in June 2019 focused on energising panchayats and gathering public feedback, with over 4,000 gazetted officers visiting villages. The second phase in November 2019 worked towards devolving more powers to panchayats, with officers revisiting villages to assess their functionality. The third phase in October 2020 introduced specific components aimed at the full-scale implementation of social sector schemes and employment programmes. The fourth phase, held between October and November 2022, continued to focus on the saturation of government welfare schemes, including Ayushman Golden Cards, E-Shram Cards, land passbooks, and Kisan Credit Cards. The latest phase, held in November 2023, sought to transform rural Jammu and Kashmir by further bridging the gap between the administration and the people, with particular emphasis on water supply schemes, road connectivity, and support for local entrepreneurship.
The programme has been met with strong public participation, with visiting officers often receiving a warm welcome. Officials have spent nights in villages to gain firsthand insight into the living conditions and challenges faced by residents. The initiative has also received national recognition, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioning it in his “Mann Ki Baat” address, describing it as a festival of development and public engagement.
Government data shows that districts such as Bandipora, Srinagar, Ganderbal, and Budgam have reported implementation rates of over 90 per cent, while others like Baramulla have lagged at around 52 per cent. This reflects variations in the pace of execution across different regions. The involvement of panchayati raj institutions and local bodies has played a crucial role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the programme. However, the initiative has also faced challenges, with a total of 2,296 complaints recorded during its implementation. Of these, 2,145 have been addressed, according to government figures. The nature of these complaints has ranged from delays in project execution to grievances over the distribution of welfare benefits.
The financial expenditure on the programme has varied across districts, with significant amounts allocated to regions such as Kathua, Jammu, and Kupwara, while some areas have seen lower spending. In several districts, funds have been used for strengthening rural infrastructure, employment generation, and social welfare measures. The implementation of the programme has been periodically verified by district administrations and Back to Village observers, with additional audits conducted by the Local Fund Audit Office, District Statistical and Evaluation Officers, and the Principal Accountant General of Jammu and Kashmir.
Despite claims of success, the government has faced criticism regarding gaps in the execution of schemes and delays in addressing grievances. Questions have also been raised about the effectiveness of the independent evaluations conducted so far. While the programme has led to visible improvements in certain sectors, concerns remain about ensuring accountability and sustaining long-term development outcomes. As the government continues to push for deeper grassroots governance, the effectiveness of the Back to Village initiative will remain under scrutiny.
