State
RDD schemes remodelled to stimulate rural economy: Haq Khan
JAMMU, JAN 23: Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Law and Justice Abdul Haq Khan said that various programmes and schemes launched by the government aimed for holistic development of rural areas of the state. He said the effective implementation of RDD schemes has changed the lives of people by reshaping the rural economy.
The Minister was replying to the discussion on working of Rural Development Department in the Legislative Council, here today.
With a view to enlighten the House, the Minister highlighted various achievements made by the department during the past three years and also outlined the future strategy to bring era of development in the rural areas of the state.
He said the department has laid a network of roads, bridges and culverts in the state under MGNREGA that has changed the socio-economic status of the rural populace.
“In a first, RDD has done some commendable job after launching MGNREGA scheme in the State, which has been acknowledged at national level and has also won many awards in last three years,” he said.
Under MGNREGA, the department has set short terms missions with an aim to create durable assets for the people of rural areas, while jobs are created during the last three years, he added.
He said that it has identified the rural connectivity a major challenge in rural areas and hence took up the task to focus on rural connectivity in first two years and has constructed 679 bridges, 2283 culverts, 31337 roads during the period.
The Minister further informed that the department has also constructed 2696 ponds, 885 check dams , 3617 water harvesting tanks , 561 play fields, 72 fisheries ponds, 55 Anganwari centers, renovation of 4622 traditional water bodies and 20143 micro irrigation works while providing jobs to 23.90 lac persons.
“Our main focus is on water harvesting in kandi areas including construction of water harvesting tanks, check dams and other small dams in upper belts to conserve the water,” he added.
He said that after introduction of technology to monitor the assets, all the assets in the districts have been geo-tagged and it is a touchstone of transparency that will enforce better monitoring, recording and management of development works at the cutting edge level.
He further informed that one ombudsman will be shortly engaged for two districts in the state to look into complaints to bring transparency and accountability in the system.
It was a breakthrough for the department in the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in the State by adopting e-FMS in which system allows direct transfer of fund from State Account to Job card holder’s Account, reducing human intervention and delays in wage payment, he said.
To boost self-esteem and self-confidence of women folk especially living in rural areas, the Minister informed that biggest success of UMEED scheme in the state is that currently 2.08 lakh women are associated with the 22270 Self Helf Groups formed under the scheme in 68 blocks of the state.
He further stated that JKSRLM has also been entrusted with the responsibility of training and placing over 1.24 lakh JK youth with an allocation of Rs 1,601.51 crore for a period of three years under Himayat Scheme.
Srinagar, Oct 21: Department of School Education today regularized services of 816 officers in various cadres/disciplines through Departmental Promotion Committee headed by Commissioner Secretary School Education Sarita Chauhan.
The regularization orders in respect of 388 incumbents have been issued including Joint Directors, CEOs and Lecturers in the disciplines of Botany, Chemistry, Economics and Environmental Science whose cases were found complete in all respects.
In another decision, 2413 post-graduate Masters/Teachers have been placed as in-charge Lecturers in different disciplines as on date and elevation of more eligible incumbents are in pipeline, the statement added.
Srinagar, Oct 21: Advisor to Governor, K Skandan today said that that the Government is committed to redress the demands and issues of the general public and necessary directions have been passed to the concerned for the immediate redressal of the same.
The Advisor stated this during his weekly public hearing programme at Governor’s Grievance Cell, Church Lane, Srinagar.
On the occasion, 40 individuals and deputations hailing from different parts of J&K put forth their demands and grievances before the Advisor and sought his intervention for early redressal of their issues.
The deputations which met the Advisor include: members of Civil Society, Safapora who sought sanction of Animal Poly Clinic and establishment of Horticulture zone, deputation of retired employees of JK Cements, who sought redressal of pending retirement benefits, deputation from Budgam who sought development of road, delegation of employees of Joinery Mills and deputation of Class 4th candidates from Baramulla and several other individuals also put forth their issues and demands.
After giving a patient hearing, the Advisor assured the public deputations and individuals that the administration would look into their demands and issues on priority. He assured that necessary instructions have already been passed to the concerned so that people do not face any difficulty and inconvenience.
Srinagar, Oct 20: Putting all the speculations about the J&K Bank’s merger at rest, J&K Bank Chairman and Managing Director R K Chhibber today stated, “The recent crisis of Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank in the country has worried bank customers in general but the rumors of J&K bank’s merger by some vested interests has raised apprehensions among our depositors particularly in J&K. Let me put all those speculations at rest by assuring you that no merger is on the cards and the bank’s fundamentals are very strong.”
In a press statement, he further said, “Let me assure all the stakeholders of the bank that their beloved bank is in safe hands of more than 12000 strong J&K Bank family under the supervision and guidance of a professionally strong board of directors with a robust accountability framework in place for transparency and efficiency. The only way to go for the bank is up and above, towards higher levels of accomplishments.”
Commenting upon the effect of recent political developments in J&k upon the bank, he said, “We certainly believe that the recent developments that have taken place in state won’t affect the essence of this institution, which is to financially serve the people of J&K and catalyze the economic development of this region.J&K Bank has witnessed far bigger challenges in the past, and we believe, as always with the emotional equity of the people, support of J&K Government and unmatched commitment of our staff, we shall meet every challenge head-on and come out stronger and more successful.”
While reiterating that J&K Bank has strong fundamentals with all its major financial indicators performing well, the Chairman also asserted that few of the large loans, made some years ago that have turned Non Performing Assets (NPAs) and are being investigated; have been adequately provided for by the bank and shall have no impact on the profitability of the bank.
“Let me assure you that we are here to be with you and lead you towards a more promising and fulfilling economic future”, he said.
Reflecting upon the long and eventful journey of the bank, the Chairman said, “It has been a long, eventful and challenging journey of over eighty years that has shaped up not only this great institution but the very structure and the substance of J&K’s economy. For all this, we acknowledge and admit the instrumental role of our shareholders and customers whose unwavering trust and cooperation has been the guiding light for us during eight decades of our existence.”
Expressing his gratitude for the bank’s main stakeholders, Chairman said, “In particular we appreciate the unflinching support of our main stakeholders i.e.the J&K Government, the Board of Directors, and employees at large. J&K Government has always come forward to support the bank in all spheres and have already raised their stake to 59 pc in the bank by providing capital of Rs 532 Crfor business growth and regulatory requirement. Thegovernment has also indicated to extend additional capital support in near future to meet our Basel III capital requirements.”
Notably, thevery reason for the establishment of Jammu & Kashmir Bank by its founders in 1938 has been to empower the people of the state financially so that an era of development could be ushered in.Today we see that vision transformed into reality as J&K Bankleads from the front with market share of more than 65 pc, more than 12 million account holders from two million households and a total business around 1.65 lac Cr.