DODA, JULY 04: A preparatory meeting was convened to formulate the District Capex Budget 2025–26 under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Doda, Harvinder Singh, at the DC Office Complex, Doda. The meeting aimed to discuss and finalize the developmental works and priorities for the district, ensuring that the planning process is need-based, inclusive, and equitable.
Chief Planning Officer, Manesh Kumar Manhas gave a brief PowerPoint presentation about the plan formulation of the District Capex Budget 2025–26.
The meeting was attended by Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD) Doda, Din Mohammad Afaqi; Assistant Commissioner Panchayats (ACP) Doda, Mushraf Haff; Block Development Officers (BDOs) of various blocks; and representatives from different line departments.
The primary focus of the meeting was to fill the gaps in infrastructure development and adopt indicators-based planning in aspirational blocks and panchayats, prioritizing works as per the gaps and needs of the area in consultation with different stakeholders at the panchayat and block levels.
During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on the prioritization of works in different blocks. The DC directed the BDOs to include proposals for the construction of Anganwadi centres, school buildings, health centres, power infrastructure, water supply schemes and road connectivity in uncovered areas of their respective jurisdictions.
The DC emphasized that all plans should be based on lessons learned from the previous years’ performance, incorporating both the strengths and weaknesses observed. He underscored that planning must reflect the actual and real needs of communities, ensure transparency and promote equitable development across all panchayats and blocks in the district.
He directed the BDOs to draft their aspirational block-level plans themselves, in consultation with local stakeholders, ensuring active community participation and ownership of the process across all indicators. This, he said, would help fill the gaps and bring these blocks at par with other blocks in the district.
The DC highlighted the need to give priority to backward and underserved areas, with special focus on aspirational panchayats and blocks to reduce disparities. He stressed the importance of ensuring convergence of different government schemes and resources to avoid duplication of efforts and wastage of funds.
The DC also directed that all proposals should incorporate environment-friendly practices, such as the use of solar energy and sustainable construction techniques. He called for improving public amenities and essential services to enhance the overall quality of life of the residents, insisting that all works must align with the goals of improving education, healthcare, sanitation, livelihood opportunities, road infrastructure and digital connectivity in the district.
He further instructed that all projects should be technically feasible, financially viable and designed with clear timelines and measurable outcomes, ensuring efficient and timely implementation.
The DC asked the BDOs to work proactively towards ensuring the installation of ATMs in uncovered and remote panchayats and blocks, thereby improving access to financial and banking services for rural populations.
He also urged the officers to prioritize and target development works that support women’s empowerment, skill development, and employment. Additionally, he instructed them to reach out to the public, raise awareness about financial literacy and register MGNREGA workers and others under schemes such as PMJSY and PMJJY.
