JAMMU: Union Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Saturday held a meeting with Advisor to Lt Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan through video conferencing where various issues were discussed.
The Union Minister appreciated the efforts of Rural Development Department (RDD) for making around 7 lakh face-masks for prevention of COVID -19 in J&K.
During the meeting it was decided that various works under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in J&K will shortly be started by following standard operating procedure (SOP) guidelines. As per the guidelines, the workers have to wear masks and also have to maintain proper distancing while carrying out their work.
The aim of starting MGNREGA works is to give relief to daily-wage workers so that they can earn their livelihood through various panchayat level schemes.
The meeting was informed that among the priority works to be started under MGNREGA will include irrigation and water conservation, construction of ponds, wells, horticulture related activities and plantation of trees.
During the meeting, the Advisor Khan raised the funds under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) related issue.
He was assured by the Union Minister that the funds will shortly be released to J&K.
Besides, the meeting also discussed mobilization of skilled and semi skilled workers in panchayats through PRIs. The village level committees, water sanitation committees, IWMP committees will also be involved at panchayat level.
