Srinagar, Oct 1: A senior officer of the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India, is undertaking a four-days Area Officer visit to Jammu and Kashmir from September 30 to October 3, 2026, to monitor the implementation and progress of various ongoing rural development schemes in Srinagar and Anantnag districts.

The visit is being led by Shri Altaf Hussain Haji, Deputy Director General, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, New Delhi, who is the designated Area Officer for MoRD schemes.
During the visit, Shri Haji also attended a training programme on Viksit Bharat Gram Panchayat (VB-GRAMG) organised by the Department of Rural Development for Block Development Officers (BDOs) of Srinagar and Ganderbal districts. During the brief interaction, Shri Haji emphasised the need to focus on the convergence of various government schemes, enhance awareness about rural development programmes, and identify low-development Gram Panchayats (GPs) for focused interventions. He stressed that such targeted efforts would help these Panchayats progress towards becoming Viksit Panchayats, in alignment with the vision of Viksit Bharat.
During the field visit along with Assistant commissioner Rural devlopment Srinagar, Tariq Ahmad Reshi and other local officers interacted with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) at block Khonmoh and Qamarwari and beneficiaries and other stakeholders associated with rural livelihoods and other rural development schemes including VB G RAM G . He also interacted with members of Umeed Ka Zaika SHG, which has gained recognition in Jammu and Kashmir within a short period of three to four months.
The visiting officer observed that Self-Help Groups functioning under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) were performing remarkably well. The SHG members were found to be enthusiastic and committed towards achieving the goal of becoming Lakhpati Didis at the earliest, with aspirations of progressing further towards becoming Crorepati Didis.
Shri Haji also reviewed the implementation status of various rural development schemes in Srinagar and discussed measures to further improve their outreach and ensure that the intended benefits reach a larger number of beneficiaries.
Officials of the District Administration, Srinagar, were advised to expedite and strengthen the implementation of ongoing rural development schemes for the benefit and overall well-being of the people. The officer also stressed the need to conduct awareness programmes at the grassroots level so that rural communities are better informed about various government schemes and the benefits available to them.
Emphasis was also laid on greater convergence among different government schemes and departments to achieve targets effectively and maximise benefits for beneficiaries.
At the concluding leg of the visit in Srinagar, Shri Altaf Hussain Haji met also officers of Rural Development, Government of Jammu and Kashmir. They discussed the achievements made in the implementation of various rural development schemes, as well as issues concerning their effective implementation.
The meeting also focused on addressing minor implementation-related issues and further strengthening the delivery of rural development programmes across Jammu and Kashmir.