SRINAGAR, Aug 18: Secretary, Rural Development Department (RDD) and Panchayati Raj, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, on Tuesday directed officials to adopt a mission-mode approach to accelerate implementation of the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) across Jammu and Kashmir.
Chairing a review meeting, Asad stressed the need to increase Person Days generation, activate worksites, ensure timely wage payments and strengthen field-level monitoring to improve the delivery of the scheme at the grassroots.
He directed Executive Engineers to process wage-component bills without delay and ensure that bills are prepared simultaneously once the wage component is released. Material payments, he said, should also be processed alongside wage payments to avoid unnecessary delays.
The Secretary called for immediate intervention to ensure that works are started promptly at all eligible Panchayats, with a focus on employment generation and effective implementation of the scheme.
Holding Assistant Commissioners Development (ACDs) responsible for effective block-level leadership, Asad said districts with proactive ACDs were showing better performance, while some areas continued to lag behind. He directed ACDs to take ownership of implementation and warned that persistent underperformance could invite accountability measures.
The meeting also reviewed the e-KYC status of semi-skilled and skilled workers, whose payments are expected to be routed through the wage component. Executive Engineers were directed to complete the process within the prescribed timeline.
Asad informed officials that the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) is expected to issue a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) shortly on the proposed reclassification of semi-skilled and skilled workers from the material component to the wage component.
Reviewing wage-payment performance, the Secretary directed district authorities to expedite the generation of Fund Transfer Orders (FTOs) against wage claims, emphasising that timely processing was essential for prompt payment to rural workers.
He also called for special attention to villages located in hilly, remote and snow-bound areas, where lower figures may naturally be recorded during winter, to ensure that the benefits of the scheme reach all sections of the rural population.
Asad stressed the importance of Panch Sammelans in strengthening grassroots participation and coordination between elected representatives and field officials. He directed officers to properly document the proceedings and submit completion reports promptly, ensuring that deliberations result in concrete action at the Panchayat level.
Reviewing Area Officer Monitoring Reports, he directed ACDs to conduct regular field visits and improve monitoring standards. Officials were also asked to expedite geo-tagging and complete e-KYC within the prescribed timeframe.
On administrative discipline, Asad reiterated that employees should not leave their places of duty without prior permission. He directed both Directors to conduct random attendance checks and ensure strict compliance with workplace discipline.
The Secretary directed senior officers and field functionaries to implement the instructions with immediate effect and ensure regular follow-up at all levels.
He said the success of VB-G RAM G should ultimately be reflected in more active worksites, increased Person Days generation and timely payment of wages to rural workers across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Director, Rural Development, Kashmir, Riyaz Ahmad Wani; Director, Rural Development, Jammu, Shahnaz Akhtar; Director, Social Audit, Rajneesh Gupta; Additional Secretary Waseem Raja; Superintending Engineers (REW) of Jammu and Kashmir; ACDs and Executive Engineers (REW).
