SRINAGAR, JUNE 19: Secretary, Rural Development Department (RDD) & Panchayati Raj, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, today chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the progress of works being executed under the UT Capex 2026–27 programme and reviewed various infrastructure projects related to District Development Councils (DDCs), Block Development Councils (BDCs) and Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
The meeting was attended by Director Rural Development Kashmir, Riyaz Ahmad Wani; Director Rural Development Jammu, Shahnaz Akhtar; Director Finance, Umar Khan; Joint Director Planning, Kamal Kumar Sharma; Assistant Commissioners Development (ACDs), Executive Engineers and other senior officers of the Department.
During the meeting, the Secretary conducted a detailed district-wise review of ongoing and newly sanctioned projects and emphasized the need for timely completion of works and efficient utilization of funds.
He directed the officers to ensure immediate billing of all completed works and asserted that delays at any stage of project execution would not be tolerated.
The Secretary further instructed the officers to expeditiously resolve issues related to land availability and approach roads. He said that wherever land is unavailable at the identified site, alternative suitable land should be earmarked without delay.
Aijaz Asad underscored that both Directors of Rural Development should closely monitor the billing of released funds on a daily basis and ensure that all completed works are billed within one week.
Reviewing ongoing projects, he directed the concerned officers to clear all liabilities and maintain the momentum of implementation. He also called for expediting the execution of newly approved works and instructed that estimates and other procedural formalities be completed at the earliest to facilitate timely commencement of projects.
The Secretary also reviewed the progress of works being executed under the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) and stressed the importance of their early completion.
Further, he directed the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the construction of four Panchayat Bhawans in Jammu and Kashmir, including two each in the Jammu and Kashmir divisions.
Referring to the Viksit Village Initiative, he informed that financial approval has already been received and instructed officers to finalize and freeze the village wise DPRs within one week so that works could be initiated in right earnest.
Highlighting the achievements under the UT Capex programme, the Secretary was informed that the Department has undertaken 2,718 Community Development works across the Union Territory during 2026–27, including 1,530 ongoing works and 1,188 newly approved works.
Besides, the Department is implementing 58 institutional infrastructure projects comprising District Development Council (DDC) office buildings, Block Development Council (BDC) office buildings and PRI residential accommodation across Jammu and Kashmir.
He reiterated that the timely completion of these projects is essential for strengthening grassroots institutions and enhancing rural infrastructure across the Union Territory.
