early times report
New Delhi, Feb 2: Jammu and Kashmir Government today complained about not getting due recognition from the Centre on the good work in rural development being done by the state despite the threat of militancy and inhospitable terrain.
The matter was raised by State Rural Development Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar at the MGNREGA Sammelan which saw Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi giving away awards to districts and gram panchayats for commendable work in various categories of rural job scheme.
Addressing the programme, immediately after Singh and Sonia left the venue, Sagar said that many districts and gram panchayats in Jammu and Kashmir were performing very well in rural development but the work was largely going unnoticed.
He said that the members of the local bodies and officials are working very hard in many villages in the state to implement rural development programmes despite threats emanating from gun-wielding militants and rough terrain of the state. Chairing the meeting, Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh acknowledged the difficulties involved in implementation of rural development programme in Jammu and Kashmir and assured that the good work of the Gram Panchayats and districts will be duely recognised in the next meet.
Asked why districts and gram panchayats in Jammu and Kashmir did not receive any award, a Rural Development Ministry official said that the Ministry had sent circular to all states including Jammu and Kashmir seeking proposals for awards, but the state government failed to respond to it. Awards were instituted in different categories including effective leadership and team work in IAP district, planning for water conservation, initiative in the challenging environment, effective mobilisation of labour, revival of traditional water management and equity in participation. |
