Union Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Saturday held a meeting with Advisor to Lt Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan through video conferencing where various issues were discussed.
The Union Ministerappreciated the efforts of Rural Development Department (RDD) for making around7 lakh face-masks for prevention of COVID -19 in J&K.
During the meeting itwas decided that various works under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural EmploymentGuarantee Act (MGNREGA) in J&K will shortly be started by followingstandard operating procedure (SOP) guidelines. As per the guidelines, theworkers have to wear masks and also have to maintain proper distancing whilecarrying out their work.
The aim of starting MGNREGA works is to give relief todaily-wage workers so that they can earn their livelihood through variouspanchayat level schemes.
The meeting was informedthat among the priority works to be started under MGNREGA will includeirrigation and water conservation, construction of ponds, wells, horticulturerelated activities and plantation of trees.
During the meeting, the Advisor Khan raised the funds underPradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) related issue.
He was assured by the Union Minister that the funds willshortly be released to J&K.
Besides, the meeting also discussed mobilization of skilledand semi skilled workers in panchayats through PRIs. The village levelcommittees, water sanitation committees, IWMP committees will also be involvedat panchayat level.