Srinagar, Aug 18: Secretary, Rural Development Department (RDD) and Panchayati Raj, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, on Tuesday directed officials to intensify implementation of the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM G], with a sharp focus on generating more person-days, activating worksites and ensuring timely wage payments across Jammu and Kashmir.

Chairing a review meeting, Asad called for stronger field-level supervision and greater accountability to ensure that the rural employment programme delivers tangible benefits to workers.
He directed Executive Engineers to process wage-component bills without delay and ensure that material payments are processed simultaneously. He stressed that once the wage component is released, bills should be prepared immediately so that workers do not face payment delays.
The Secretary also called for the early activation of worksites across all eligible Panchayats, emphasising that employment generation should remain the central focus of implementation.
Holding Assistant Commissioners Development (ACDs) responsible for effective block-level leadership, Asad observed that districts with proactive field officers were performing better, while some areas continued to lag. He directed ACDs to personally monitor implementation and warned that persistent underperformance could invite accountability measures.
The meeting also reviewed the e-KYC status of semi-skilled and skilled workers, whose payments are expected to be routed through the wage component. Officials were directed to complete the process within the prescribed timeframe.
Asad said the Ministry of Rural Development is expected to issue a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on the proposed reclassification of semi-skilled and skilled workers from the material component to the wage component. He directed field officials to ensure a smooth transition once the guidelines are issued.
Taking note of the difficult conditions in hilly, remote and snow-bound areas, the Secretary called for special attention to such regions, particularly during winter, to ensure equitable access to the scheme.
He further directed authorities to expedite Fund Transfer Orders (FTOs) against wage claims, stressing that prompt FTO generation was essential for timely payment to workers.
Reviewing Panch Sammelans, Asad called for greater grassroots participation and directed officials to properly document proceedings and submit completion reports. He stressed that deliberations at these platforms must result in concrete follow-up action at the Panchayat level.
The Secretary also reviewed Area Officer Monitoring Reports, directing ACDs to undertake regular field visits and improve monitoring standards. He called for expediting geo-tagging and completion of e-KYC.
On administrative discipline, Asad directed the Directors of Rural Development to conduct random attendance checks and reiterated that employees must not leave their places of duty without prior permission.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Directors of Rural Development Kashmir and Jammu, Director Social Audit, Superintending Engineers (REW), ACDs and Executive Engineers.
Asad directed all officers to implement the instructions with immediate effect, stressing that the success of VB-G RAM G must ultimately be measured by more active worksites, higher person-day generation and timely wages reaching rural workers across Jammu and Kashmir.