SRINAGAR, JUNE 07 (KNO) : Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Abdul Rehman Veeri today convened a meeting to discuss the Action Plan and prioritizing of works for the current financial year under Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP).
The meeting was attended by Secretary RDD Sheetal Nanda, Director Finance RDD S L Pandita, Chief Executive Officer IWMP Farooq Ahmad, Joint Director Planning RDD, Additional Secretary RDD R K Badyal, Programme Officers IWMP and other concerned officials of the department and IWMP. CEO IWMP informed the meeting that as per the directions, Action Plan for the year 2018-19 has been received from the districts along with the district wise details of prominent works to be taken up. He also informed the meeting about the district wise details of allocation of funds out of the total allocation of Rs 75 crore to the state under the watershed management programme for the current financial year. Further, the meeting was informed that in the current year, a total of 1027 works have been proposed under the programme in Kashmir division as per the detailed Action Plan submitted by the concerned district officers. Action plan should be strictly implemented on ground for better performance and avoiding unnecessary liabilities, the Minister stressed.
The Minister while discussing the expenditure details of previous year asked the concerned officers to close the works which were taken up but not initiated due to any reasons. This exercise would help us to make a clear picture on the ground of works taken up and completed on ground. Veeri stressed that the Batch-III works needs to be closed for which the concerned officers must develop a work plan or strategy. He asked CEO IWMP to call a meeting with the NABARD and to discuss the possibilities of funding for completion of these works.
“NABARD is carrying out many activities in the state under various important sectors and there is a scope of taking up some activities in convergence for effective implementation of such schemes/programmes”, the Minister said adding that we must come up with proposals so that NABARD and IWMP J&K can take up some joint activities in the state in convergence.
The Minister said that we should look out for joint activities that can be taken up for construction of irrigation kuls, rain water harvesting, creation of ponds etc in convergence with NABARD. Regarding appraisal, monitoring and evaluation of the works completed, the meeting was told that this exercise is very important to assess the ground performance and is also required for getting funds from GoI. CEO IWMP informed the Minister that soon a MoU would be signed with NABCONS for monitoring and appraisal of the works. Addressing the officers, Veeri said that IWMP is an important programme and should be taken seriously.
Funds allocated under the programme needs to be utilized effectively having their visible impact on the ground. Presently, performance of RDD is seen through the performance under MGNREGA only, thrust should also be given to other schemes/programmes of Rural Development Department including IWMP so that aims and objectives of watershed management programme be fulfilled.
He said that the completed works need to be showcased through documentaries so that people be made aware of the benefits of IWMP and the performance registered in the state under the programme. During the meeting, the Minister also asked CEO to look into the salary issue of supporting staff of IWMP and take necessary action in this regard.