JAMMU: Secretary, Rural Development Department and Panchayati Raj (RDD&PR), Mohammad Aijaz Asad, today chaired a preparatory meeting ahead of the Empowered Committee session to be held to finalise the Annual Action Plan (AAP) 2025-26 for MGNREGA, Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G ), Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM) and Himayat by the Ministry of Rural Development.
The meeting was attended by Mission Director, JKRLM, Dr Shubhra Sharma; Director, RDD Kashmir, Shabir Hussain Bhat; Director RDD Jammu, Mumtaz Ali; Director Finance, Umar Khan; Chief Operating Officer Himayat, Rajneesh Gupta; Joint Director Planning, Kamal Kumar Sharma; Additional Secretary RD&PR, Waseem Raja and all Assistant Commissioner(s) Development.
During the meeting, the Secretary reviewed key programme strategies and financial allocations proposed under the AAP. Discussions centred on employment generation under MGNREGA, housing for rural poor through PMAY-G, self-employment initiatives under NRLM and skill development interventions under Himayat.
The Secretary emphasized the need to further enhance employment opportunities under MGNREGA. Recognizing the programme as a crucial lifeline for rural livelihoods, he stressed the importance of expanding work availability to meet the increasing demand.
He reviewed the estimated person-days (PDs) anticipated for the financial year 2025-26 prepared by Deputy Commissioners in due consultation with the stakeholders. He also assessed the impact of proposed works in strengthening the rural infrastructure and employment generation.
The Secretary said the department aims to improve the overall quality of life in rural areas by focusing on sustainable infrastructure projects such as rural roads, water conservation structures and community facilities. He reiterated the importance of timely wage payments, a key aspect of MGNREGA aimed at providing financial security to the workers.
The Secretary also reviewed the Annual Action Plan for PMAY-G, which targets construction of new houses during 2025-26. He emphasised the need for efficient monitoring to ensure effective implementation, particularly for landless beneficiaries listed under Awaas Plus.
The Secretary reiterated the importance of convergence with MGNREGA to provide unskilled wages for housing construction, reinforcing the government’s commitment towards improving rural living conditions.
While reviewing the Annual Action Plan (AAP) 2025-26 of the Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM), the Secretary emphasized that its primary objective is to strengthen self-employment opportunities, financial inclusion and skill development for rural women. He stated that the plan focuses on expanding Self-Help Groups (SHGs), providing access to credit and promoting both farm and non-farm livelihood activities across the Union Territory.
A key highlight of the plan was the “Lakhpati Didi” initiative, designed to empower rural women by enhancing their earning potential through skill development and entrepreneurship.
The Secretary said that the strategy included regular training programs, workshops, leadership development initiatives and financial literacy sessions to help SHG members build sustainable livelihoods.
To promote financial inclusion, he said that the AAP outlines efforts to open bank accounts for all SHG members, provide 100% insurance coverage under PMJJBY and PMSBY and facilitate credit linkages with the banks. He said that the convergence approach remains a crucial aspect of the AAP, with interdepartmental coordination ensuring that SHGs benefit from various government schemes.
The meeting also reviewed the plan for Himayat, a skill development program aimed at providing employment opportunities for the youth of Jammu & Kashmir. The focus remains on expanding training programs, improving skill development initiatives and ensuring better placement opportunities for trainees, thereby equipping them with the necessary tools to secure sustainable livelihoods.
The Secretary emphasized the importance of meticulous planning and execution to achieve the goals set forth in the AAP 2025-26. He urged all scheme heads to work collaboratively to ensure successful implementation of the schemes, ultimately leading to the socio-economic upliftment of rural communities in Jammu & Kashmir.
The proposed Annual Action Plan 2025-26 will be submitted for approval in the upcoming Empowered Committee meeting scheduled in New Delhi on March 10, 2025 in the Ministry of Rural Development.