Srinagar, July 8: Director Panchayati Raj, Jammu and Kashmir, Riyaz Ahmad Wani, on Tuesday reviewed the physical and financial progress of projects under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) and directed officials to complete pending works within fixed timelines.
The meeting was attended by Assistant Commissioners Panchayat (ACPs), Under Secretary Mohammad Arshad, Executive Engineers and members of the SPRC/DPRC team.
The Director reviewed the progress of Panchayat Ghars, Panchayat Learning Centres (PLCs), Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs), the Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar initiative and fund utilisation.
Officials informed the meeting that land has been identified for 577 of the 640 sanctioned Panchayat Ghars, while 269 buildings have either been completed or are in advanced stages of construction.
Wani directed district authorities to resolve pending land issues on priority, expedite tendering and execution of works, and submit detailed reports on projects delayed due to land disputes or non-availability of land, along with the Deputy Commissioners' certification. He said such cases would be taken up with the government for early resolution.
He also instructed districts to complete all legal formalities wherever land is donated to prevent future disputes and to provide realistic timelines for ongoing projects.
Reviewing Panchayat Learning Centres, the Director noted that 20 centres are already functional across the Union Territory, while 41 additional PLCs have been sanctioned. He directed officials to utilise these centres for capacity building, digital learning and training of Panchayati Raj Institutions, Self Help Groups and other grassroots stakeholders.
On the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) 2026-27, Wani instructed all districts to ensure timely Gram Sabhas, prepare inclusive and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-aligned plans and upload them on the e-GramSwaraj portal within the prescribed timeline.
He also reviewed the Quality GPDP initiative being implemented in 285 selected Gram Panchayats with technical support from NIRDPR and called for optimum use of the available technical assistance.
Under the Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar initiative, officials informed the meeting that documentation has been completed in 6,419 of the 7,465 villages. The Director directed the remaining districts to achieve 100 per cent coverage at the earliest.
Reviewing fund utilisation, he asked officers to expedite bill processing and ensure timely financial reporting for effective utilisation of RGSA funds.
"I expect all officers to honour their commitments, complete the assigned works within the stipulated timelines and ensure all pending files are finalised on priority," Wani said.
He reiterated that strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions through quality infrastructure, participatory planning, capacity building and improved service delivery remains a key priority of the department.