JAMMU: In order to mitigate the economic hardships being faced by the public due to lockdown, MHA have allowed selected additional activities in rural areas in areas outside containment zones. The endeavour is to give an impetus to the rural economy and also facilitate employment of labour in rural areas. Resuming the development activities in the UT, Rural Development Department (RDD) has started works under flagship employment guarantee scheme MGNREGA to provide much needed mandays to rural populace amid the Covid 19 pandemic.
As elsewhere, Block Balwal, in Jammu district, is witnessing massive work execution under the job orientated MGNREGA scheme. Host of new works have been started and work on existing projects resumed across the block under the MGNREGA and other schemes.
The works are being executed as per the guidelines issued by the district administration for protection against covid-19 pandemic. The workers are provided quality safety masks and the works are being executed by maintaining adequate social distance.
At village Jakhani, panchayat Keran, a pond is coming up at an estimated cost of Rs. 2 lakh with dimensions of 32m x 14 m. A Block chairman’s office is also being constructed at Bhalwal by Rural Engineering wing of RDD. The project involves an estimated cost of Rs. 30 lakh.
As per the department, Director RD, Jammu, inspected the pace of work on these projects this afternoon. Enroute, he visited soil testing lab of Agriculture Department, constructed by Rural Engineering Wing at an estimated cost of Rs.49 lakh. The building has a hall measuring 30 m x 50 m and 2 rooms with bathrooms.
So far in Jammu division 5800 works have started in all the ten districts under the scheme. More than 25000 job card holders have been engaged in these works. The Director has instructed the concerned officers to complete all the works under MGNREGA, while ensuring the work is done as per the guidelines issued by the district administration for protection against covid-19 pandemic.
While undertaking the works under the flagship scheme, the Department is ensuring that rural infrastructure gets augmented through restoration of traditional water bodies and ponds. This is all the more imperative in wake of the coming summer months when some rural areas face severe water crises. In this connection the Director also visited Panchayat Ghar AMB, where he took stock of renovation of traditional water body (TERSHA POND) and construction of new pond -SHEKAH CHAPPRI proposed under annual action plan for the year 2020-2021.

KR Desk