Srinagar, July 1: Union Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan is visiting Jammu and Kashmir on July 3 to review multiple schemes in the rural development and agriculture sectors.
Sources said the union minister will review the progress and implementation of several flagship schemes under the Rural Development Department (RDD)
“During his two-day visit, the Union Minister is expected to assess the performance of major rural welfare programmes including the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM), the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), and other related initiatives aimed at improving rural infrastructure and livelihoods in the region. He will also discuss the future course of action to ensure overall development of rural Jammu and Kashmir,” sources said.
Sources added that the review will also focus on fund utilization, impact assessment, and strategies to improve convergence between various rural schemes for better outcomes.
Chouhan, who also holds the portfolio of Agriculture, will additionally review agricultural development schemes and interact with officials to understand the sector’s challenges and opportunities in the Union Territory.
“The union minister will take an overview of the UT’s agriculture sector. He will look into the progress made under Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan. He will discuss with the officials about initiatives required to strengthen the region’s agriculture roadmap – so that yields increase, costs drop, and the area under cultivation expands,” sources said.
The minister, as per the sources, said he will also interact with the farmers to get their feedback regarding various schemes being implemented by the centre and the UT government.
As part of his itinerary, sources said the minister will visit the Lakpati Didi Samelan organized by JKRLM at Khanmoh on July 4, where he is expected to engage with women beneficiaries who have achieved financial independence through self-help group initiatives.
The minister is expected to speak with SHG members and explore ways to scale such grassroots entrepreneurship initiatives.
Officials said the minister’s visit is highly crucial given the progress being made by the departments under his supervision.
“This visit by Shivraj Singh Chouhan is aimed at assessing the development made by various departments. All these departments have made preparations with data and figures ready to highlight the progress made during the last few years,” said an official who refused to be named.