Directorate of Rural Development Kashmir comprises of 10 districts in Kashmir Valley and 2 districts in Ladakh region which include four newly created districts. There are 77 CD & NES blocks, two Area Development Offices in Keran and Machil are also in position.

 The Department essentially aims at:- 

v     To strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions.

v     To generate Wage Employment.

v     To create durable community assets and rural infrastructure.

v     To reduce the number of people living below poverty line

v     To provide houses to the rural houseless families.

v     To provide means of self employment to the rural poor through different self employment schemes.

v     To undertake activities necessary and expedient for ensuring land, development and water conservation.

v     To provide any information under provisions of Right to Information Act.

 There are two Directorates of Rural Development in the State, one for Kashmir and the other for Jammu Division. These Directorates are under the administrative Control of the Rural Development Department at the Secretariat Level which is headed by an officer of the rank of Secretary to Government and above.

          At the provincial level, the Directorate is headed by the Director who is a major head of the department in terms of Jammu & Kashmir Book of Financial Powers. The post is borne on  KAS cadre  and is held by senior KAS / IAS Officer. He exercises the administrative and the financial control over the whole province and is assisted by S.E REW Kashmir, Deputy Director(Adm), Deputy Director(Plg), District Panchayat Officer (Publicity), Accounts Officer and other necessary staff to carry out the day to day working in the Directorate.

 The Superintending Engineer REW Kashmir:-

Of late, the post of S.E. REW Kashmir has been created at the Divisional Level to look-after and monitor technical aspects of the various works being executed by the Rural Development Department to the extent of Rs. 50 lacs. He is assisted by Jr. Assistant, Technical Assistant / Officer.

 The Deputy Director (Adm) provides assistance to the Director in all  the administrative matters. The assistance is provided on the issues pertaining  to establishment,  legal and   matters  including disciplinary proceedings, complaints and other issues related to the administration.

 The Deputy Director (Plg) deals with the planning apparatus which includes consolidation  of the plan at the provincial level and its submission to the government for approval of the Planning & Development Department. He monitors all the plan schemes being implemented in the field and provides necessary assistance to the Director in  effective implementation of the schemes under the control of the department.

Similarly, the District Panchayat Officer(Publicity) assists the Director in the areas like Panchayats and other related matters including publicity of schemes etc.

Accounts officer provides assistance in the field of financial/account matters. He is also the drawing and disbursing  officer of the Directorate. He also formulates the budget and monitors  the    Non-plan  expenditure.

 The Directorate of Rural Development Kashmir exercises  control over the following ten Districts of Kashmir and two Districts of  Ladakh Region:-

 Kashmir Region:

1.                 Anantnag

2.                 Kulgam

3.                 Baramulla

4.                 Bandipora

5.                 Budgam

6.                 Kupwara

7.                 Pulwama

8.                 Shopian

9.                 Srinagar

10.            Ganderbal

Ladakh Region:

1.                 Kargil

2.                 Leh

      At the District Level, following officers are under the administrative control of the Directorate of Rural Development Kashmir in one or the other  manner;

 1.                 Project Officers Wage Employment (ACD`s).

2.                 Project Officers Self  Employment, DRDA`s.

3.                 Project Officers IWDP.

4.                 Executive Engineers, Rural Engineering Wing.

5.                 District Panchayat Officers.

 At the  Block level,  Block Development Officers are assisted by Panchayat Inspectors, SO`s Planning, Mukhi Sevikas, Junior Engineers, VLWs, MPWs, Gram Sevikas etc. in discharging their duties.

 Brief description of the functioning of these officers is as under:-

 1.       Project Officer Wage Employment (ACD):-

Project Officer Wage Employment (ACD) is  normally an officer from Kashmir Administrative Service (KAS). He releases the funds to the Block Development Officers for implementation of various components of works approved under the programmes by the District Development Boards/ other competent authorities. The Assistant Commissioner Development, consolidates the District Plan on the basis of the inputs received from Block Development Officers. The District Plan compiled by him is submitted to the Directorate for technical vetting before it is considered by the District Development Board in its meetings. ACD is competent to accord Administrative Approval of the works involving the estimates upto Rs. 5.00 lacs  in accordance with Govt. Order No.300-Agri of 1996  dated 06/06/1996. ACD is also the Administrative head of the Rural Development Department at the district level.

2.      Project  Officer Self Employment (DRDA):-

In every district there is a District Rural Development Agency with  District Development Commissioner as its Chairman  assisted by the Project Officer Self Employment who is exercising the over all Administrative & Financial control over the affairs of the Agency. Project Officer is assisted by Assistant Project Officers and other staff. The Programmes of the Agency are being implemented by the Block Development Officers.

3.      Project  Officer (IWDP):-

          There is a separate Project Officer in the district to look-after the implementation of Integrated Watershed Development Project. The works programme under this project is also being implemented by the BDOs .

4.      EXECUTIVE ENGINEER (Rural Engineering Wing):-

In every district, there is a Rural Engineering Wing headed by the Executive Engineer who looks after the technical aspect of the execution of works. The Assistant Executive Engineers and Assistant Engineers posted in the district work under his control. He accords technical sanctions of the works involving estimated cost upto Rs. 5.00 lacs and also accords test checks to ensure good quality of work being executed in the district. He is assisted by the Junior Engineers and Works Supervisors at the Block/Panchayat Level.

5.      DISTRICT  PANCHAYAT  OFFICER:-

At the district level, the matters of Panchayat and Panchayat property / assets are attended to by the District Panchayat Officer. He is assisted by Plantation Ranger and Panchayat Auditor posted in the district. The District Panchayat Officer is also supervising  the afforestration programmes and rural sanitation programmes in the districts. At the Block Level, such matters are supervised by the Panchayat Inspector and at the Panchayat Level there is a Secretary Panchayat (VLW, Gram Savika, MPW). The property of the Panchayats viz. Plantation Nurseries, Panchayat Ghars and other Panchayat Assets are supervised by the Plantation Supervisor / Plantation Watcher and Plantation Helpers.

Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC), implemented by the BDOs at block level is also being monitored by the District Panchayat Officers.  However the scheme is being implemented through  Director Rural Sanitation J&K.

 The District Panchayat Officer is the designated authority in respect of implementation of various sections  of the Jammu & Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act.

6.      BLOCK    LEVEL  ADMINISTRATIVE   SET  UP:

 At the Block Level,  the Block Development Officer is responsible  for  formulation and implementation of  Action Plans under various schemes through the field staff which comprises of :-

·        Panchayat Inspector

·        Junior engineers

·        Village Level Workers.

·        Mukhi Savikas/Gram Savikas

·        Multi Purpose Workers.

·        Plantation Supervisors / Watchers.

·        Malies, Mirabs / Chowkidars.

 In pursuance of section 12 of Jammu & Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989 it shall also be the duty of each Halqa Panchayat to make provision for preparation of the Plans for the development of the Halqa and to take measures for the implementation of the developmental plans subject to the availability of funds  at its disposal. The plans at the block level are formulated after consolidating the information received from the village Panchayats through the Secretary Panchayat  (VLW/MPW/Gram Savika) of the Panchayat. Simultaneously the estimates of the works are prepared by JEs of the concerned Block and are technically checked by the AE/AEE/ Executive Engineer / SEs.

 The plans are first consolidated at the Block level  and then at the District level. After the approval of  District Development Boards to the District Plans, the Village Level worker/Multipurpose Workers/Gram Savikas (Secretary  of the Panchayat) places the proposal of works before the Halqa Majlis, constituted vide Section  4  of Jammu & Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989 for their consideration  and after passing a resolution, the Halqa Majlis nominates  somebody through whom the work is to be got executed. The Block Development Officer then allots the work to the nominated person  in accordance with the guidelines of the schemes. The work is  then got executed as per the guidelines/prescribed norms. During execution, the test checks are recorded by the AEs/AEEs and Executive Engineer to avoid any sort of negligence at different stages of  execution. Regarding NREGA works, the execution is done as per the provisions of the said act vis-à-vis operational guidelines of the scheme.

  The main programmes/schemes under implementation through the Rural Development Department Kashmir are as under:-

 SCHEMES UNDER IMPLEMENTATION

  q     National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme

q     Prime Ministers Reconstrcution Programme

(Development of Model Villages)

q     Indra Awas Yojna / Rural Housing Scheme

q     Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojna

q     Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (Old Projects Only)

    q     IWDP (Haryali)

    q     DRDA Administration

    q     Other works under CD & Panchayat

 Other schemes dealt by the Rural Development Department

q     MPLAD

q     CDF

q     BADP

q     BRGF

q     Other Departmental works

 National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS)

Ø      Government of India enacted an Act called NREGA which came into force in 2005.

Ø      District Kupwara of Kashmir province was covered under NREGA during 2006-07.

Ø      One more district i.e. District Anantnag was brought under the scheme during 2007-08.

Ø      w.e.f. 1-4-2008 all  the remaining districts of Kashmir province including Leh / Kargil Districts have been brought under the scheme.

Ø      NREGA guarantees 100 days of employment to un-skilled members of registered rural households during a financial year on demand.

Ø      Rate of wages per day is paid at the rate of minimum wages in force in the State.

Ø      The work is provided to rural households   in their villages / panchayat / block by means of creation of specified durable assets required for community use in the rural areas.

Ø      10% wages are paid extra if the work is provided to a person beyond 5 km distance.

Ø      Presently 8 types of works are approved to be taken-up under the scheme.

 Types of works approved under NREGA

1. water conservation and water harvesting;
2. drought proofing, including afforestation and tree plantation;
3. irrigation canals, including micro and minor irrigation works;
4. provision of irrigation facility to land owned by households belonging to the SC/ST, or to land of the beneficiaries of land reforms, or to land of the beneficiaries under the Indira Awas Yojana;
5. renovation of traditional water bodies, including de-silting of tanks;
6. land development;
7. flood-control and protection works, including drainage in waterlogged areas;
8. rural connectivity to provide all-weather access. The construction of roads may include culverts wherever necessary and within the village area may be taken up along with drains,

Any other work that may be notified by Central Govt. in consultation with State Government.

PMs Reconstruction Programme (Model Village)

The Hon`ble Prime Minister of India during his  visit to Valley in October, 2004 announced Reconstruction  programme for J&K State which included :-

•         One  village in each recognized CD Block to be  developed as a Model Village under Prime Ministers Reconstruction Plan.

•         62 Villages identified under Central assistance.

•         3 Villages identified  under State Plan.

•         Rs. 120.00 lacs  earmarked to be spent per village.

 The main objective of the scheme:-

Ø            to minimize the Rural – Urban divide.

Ø            Check the migration of population.

Ø            Improve the quality of rural life.

Ø            Demonstration of latest technology.

Ø            Integrated development of area, based on local resources.

Ø            Optimum utilization of resources available under various schemes.

 Indra Awas Yojna / Rural Housing Scheme  (IAY / RHS)

•         Indra Awas Yojna takes care of housing requirements of rural people living below poverty line.

•         This scheme was launched in 1989 throughout the country which replaced rural housing scheme.

•         The objective of IAY is to help construction / up-gradation of dwelling units by member of scheduled caste / scheduled tribe / freed bonded labourers and people living below poverty line.

•         SGSY has replaced IRDP/TRYSEM/DWCRA/SITRA/MWS/GKY

•         It came into existence during 1999

•         The objective is to bring the assisted poor families (Swarozgaris) to above poverty line by increasing their income over a period of time.

•         The objective to be achieved by forming Self Help Groups through social mobilization, capacity building and provision of income generation assets through Government subsidy / Bank loan.

•         It envisages building of micro enterprises in rural areas based on potential of the rural poor.

•         The assisted families are known as individuals or Swarozgaris.

•         Emphasis to be on  group approach.

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana  (PMGSY)

 •          Objectives:-

–         To provide all weather roads to unconnected habitations having population  more than 500.

–         New Roads - primary focus

–         Programme for Village Roads and Other District Roads only

–         Roads surfaced with Black Topping

•          The 1st two phases of the scheme  viz. PMGSY Phase-I and PMGSY Phase II implemented by the Rural Development Department Kashmir.

 The fresh projects are now being executed by R&B Department.

 IWDP (Haryali)

•          Aims at harvesting every drop of rainwater for purposes of irrigation, plantations including horticulture and floriculture, pasture development, fisheries etc. to create sustainable sources of income for the village community as well as for drinking water supplies.

•          Ensuring overall development of rural areas through Gram Panchayats and creating regular sources of income for the Panchayats from rainwater harvesting and management.

•          Employment generation, poverty alleviation, community empowerment and development of human and other economic resources of the rural areas.

•          Mitigating the adverse effects of extreme climatic conditions such as drought and desertification on crops, human and livestock population for the overall improvement of rural areas.

•          Restoring ecological balance by harnessing, conserving and developing natural resources i.e. land, water, vegetative cover especially plantations.

•          Encouraging village community towards sustained community action for the operation and maintenance of assets created and further development of the potential of the natural resources in the watershed.

•          Promoting use of simple, easy and affordable technological solutions and institutional arrangements that make use of, and build upon, local technical knowledge and available materials.

•          Ordinarily the project area tackles roughly 5000 hectt. Land at a cost of Rs. 6000 per hectt.

 DRDA (Administration)

•         The scheme is Centrally Sponsored on a sharing pattern of 75 : 25 Central / State. Planning & Development Department releases funds to DDCs directly under District Plan on this account and central Govt. releases funds to DRDAs directly for meeting the salary and other allied revenue items.

 CD & Panchayat

Funds are released for execution of different types of works on public demand by the State Government through Planning / Administrative Department.

 Total sanitation campaign Kashmir Division

This scheme is being implemented by separate Director  i.e. Director Rural Sanitation . However, for the information of the general public the brief note of the said scheme is mentioned here uner:-

•         The scheme aims at improving the sanitation of rural areas.

•         Individual / household latrines both BPL targeted as the key task to be completed upto year 2012.

•         School and other institutional latrines also to be provided under this programme and also the community latrines at some prominent gathering spots in the Districts.

•         The scheme aims at ensuring a provision of household latrines to 324536 BPL families besides achieving other community targets

Finance Commission Award

        Finance Commission Awards  is a centrally sponsored scheme being implemented by the Rural Development Department.  The main objective of the scheme till the completion of 11th FC Award period was to construct Panchayat Ghars for each Panchayat Halqa. However,  the strategy has been changed under the 12th FC Award proposal under which it is envisaged to modernize and upgrade the standards of administration in terms of making the Panchayati Institutions  functional by paying honorarium to the elected representatives, providing of trucks and road rollers for achieving  quick and better quality results.

 OTHER  SCHEMES :-