Jammu: Minister for Agriculture Production Department, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, Wednesday said that assets developed under rural programs must serve the public interest, adhere to the stipulated annual timelines and genuinely reflect the needs of local communities.
During a review meeting in Jammu, the Minister evaluated progress on key programs, including the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin, SBM-G including O&M Policy, RGSA, WDC-PMKSY-2.0 ( IWMP), Infrastructure for DDC/BDC and DDU-GKY-Himayat. The Minister emphasized the urgent need for reforms in the Rural Development Department (RDD) to align with public expectations, noting that 70 percent of public sentiment is tied to the effectiveness of rural development programs. He expressed particular concern for marginalized families under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), directing officials to ensure timely payments, complete e-KYC processes, and maintain strict oversight of projects. The Minister highlighted the ongoing water scarcity in the upper Jammu kandi belt and advocated for MGNREGA to be leveraged for creating water conservation structures and improving irrigation. He also addressed the issue of delayed payments for beneficiaries under the Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), instructing the department to resolve these delays and ensure that genuine beneficiaries rec
