Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, July 4: Department of Rural Development & Panchayati on Thursday organized a District Level Workshop on Panchayat Development Plan and MGNREGA Convergence. The event aimed to enhance the effectiveness of rural development through the strategic integration of Panchayat Development Plans with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Samba, Abhishek Sharma, inaugurated the workshop and delivered the keynote address. In his speech, he underscored the importance of convergence in rural development schemes. Sharma noted that MGNREGA, being a demand-driven scheme, requires careful maintenance of material and labor ratios to ensure accelerated poverty alleviation and asset building. He also stressed the need for Gram Sabhas to prioritize the participation of women and marginalized sections of the community.
Assistant Commissioner Development Mehmood Riaz highlighted the critical need for convergence between Panchayat Development Plans and MGNREGA. He emphasized that such integration would lead to more efficient resource utilization and comprehensive rural development.
Nida, Thematic Expert, Department of Panchayati Raj, J&K, gave an overview of the process for preparing thematic area-wise Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP). She further elaborated on the issues, challenges, and strategies in preparing convergent GPDPs in the Union Territory (UT), along with the expectations from the line departments to facilitate the formation of integrated GPDPs.
Monika Samyal, Project Officer (PO) Samba, delivered a presentation on the convergent plan under MGNREGA. Sanjeet Singh Jamwal, CIC Samba, spoke on the significance of Participatory Development Initiatives (PDI) in attaining Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in rural areas.
Chief Planning Officer Samba, Kasturi Lal, gave a presentation on UT-funded schemes to be integrated with GPDP and the role of administrative departments.
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