SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir completed 1.12 lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G) in 2024–25, the highest so far in the region, and generated 407.04 lakh person-days under MGNREGA, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Javid Ahmad Dar, said on Thursday.
Chairing a review meeting at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar, Dar said 498 landless families were provided five marlas of land each under PMAY-G. Under the MGNREGA scheme, 1.84 lakh rural development works were completed during the financial year.
He added that 43,280 Individual Household Latrines (IHHL) were constructed under Swachh Bharat Mission – Gramin (SBM-G), exceeding the target of 36,000 by 120 per cent.
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to rural empowerment and directed officers to ensure that eligible individuals benefit from RDD schemes without obstacles. He called for timely, transparent implementation of rural projects and instructed officials to maintain quality standards.
Under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), 42,146 women were enrolled under the “Lakhpati Didi” scheme, and over 6,000 Self-Help Group (SHG) members received skill training.
Under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA), 330 Panchayat Ghars were completed, and 272 more have been allotted for the current financial year.
Dar stressed the importance of legislators’ participation in planning and implementation. He directed Assistant Commissioners Development (ACDs) and Assistant Commissioners Panchayats (ACPs) to coordinate closely with elected representatives to strengthen local governance.
Calling for regular field visits and community outreach, Dar encouraged officers to organise public grievance redressal programmes and focus on improving service delivery at the panchayat level.
Dar also appreciated the department’s efforts in clearing irrigation channels (Khuls) in the Chenab, Pir Panjal, and Kashmir regions. He instructed officials to identify and rejuvenate natural water sources for development under the Amrit Sarovar initiative.
Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, urged unity among officials and elected representatives and said rural development efforts should also focus on public awareness.
He raised concerns about high-interest loans affecting SHG women under the Lakhpati Didi programme and proposed linking the groups with corporate banks to improve access to affordable credit.
Secretary, Rural Development Department, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, provided an update on the status of ongoing schemes and projects.
The meeting was attended by Director RDD Kashmir Shabir Hussain Bhat, Joint Director Planning, and all ACDs and ACPs from Kashmir Division. (KNO)
