KD NEWS SERVICE
ANANTNAG, Jan 1: MLA Bijbehara, Dr. Bashir Ahmad Veeri, on Tuesday chaired a comprehensive review meeting of the Rural Development Department (RDD) at the Dak Bungalow, Khanbal, in Anantnag district to assess the pace and quality of ongoing developmental works across his constituency.
The meeting was attended by senior and block-level officers of the RDD, including the Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD) Anantnag, Block Development Officer (BDO) Bijbehara, BDO Khoverpora, and other concerned officials. The deliberations primarily focused on reviewing the progress of development projects being executed in Dachinpora Block, Khoverpora Block, and Bijbehara Block.
During the meeting, Dr. Veeri sought detailed updates on the implementation status of various centrally sponsored and UT-funded schemes. Special emphasis was laid on Capital Expenditure (Capex) projects, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), and other flagship rural development programmes aimed at improving basic infrastructure and livelihood opportunities in rural areas. Officers were directed to ensure timely completion of approved works while maintaining transparency and quality standards.
The MLA also raised strong objections to the recent move to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) as “G RAM G.” Dr. Veeri pointed out that the opposition party, Congress, has already opposed the decision and termed the renaming unnecessary and politically motivated. He stressed that MGNREGA is a landmark welfare scheme with a national identity and should not be altered, as it directly impacts the rural poor and labour class.
Dr. Veeri urged RDD officials to work in close coordination with local representatives and ensure that the benefits of government schemes reach the grassroots without delay or discrimination. He further instructed officers to address public grievances promptly and prioritize developmental works that have a direct bearing on people’s daily lives.
Meanwhile, local residents and public representatives expressed appreciation for the ongoing developmental initiatives in the area. They conveyed satisfaction over the visible progress of works in different blocks and hoped that the momentum would be maintained to further strengthen rural infrastructure and employment generation in the constituency.
