Jammu, July 1: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Cooperatives and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar on Tuesday chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the progress of developmental works, Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) projects and Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) being implemented by the Rural Development, Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry and Cooperatives departments.

During the meeting, the Minister directed senior officers to closely monitor all ongoing projects to ensure optimum utilisation of funds, timely completion of infrastructure works and adherence to quality standards. He stressed that developmental initiatives must deliver tangible benefits to the people within the stipulated timelines.
Reviewing the Animal and Sheep Husbandry sectors, Dar instructed officials to bring the maximum number of livestock under the livestock insurance scheme to enhance financial security for farmers and livestock rearers.
He also directed the Enforcement Wing of the Agriculture Department to strengthen inspections and strictly enforce quality standards to ensure transparency and accountability.
In the Horticulture sector, the Minister called for optimum utilisation of canning centres by linking them with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to promote value addition, generate employment and enhance farmers' incomes. He also directed the department to establish a robust monitoring mechanism for registered nurseries to ensure the supply of quality-certified, disease-free planting material.
Reviewing the Rural Development Department, Dar instructed officials to complete the beneficiary survey under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) in a transparent and time-bound manner, ensuring that no eligible beneficiary is left out. He also sought early submission of documents related to pending liabilities before the transition to the G-RAM-G regime to facilitate the release of funds from the Government of India. He further directed officials to furnish complete details of pending 14th Finance Commission liabilities without delay.
In the Cooperatives sector, the Minister emphasised strengthening the dairy cooperative movement to improve rural livelihoods and farmers' incomes. He also directed the department to expedite the audit of cooperative societies and ensure strict compliance with statutory regulations.
Reiterating the government's commitment to strengthening rural infrastructure and governance, Dar urged all departments to work in close coordination, maintain regular monitoring and adopt a proactive approach for effective implementation of welfare and development programmes.
Later, several public delegations from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir met the Minister and raised various developmental and public welfare issues. Dar assured them that all genuine demands and grievances would be examined on priority and addressed in a time-bound manner in coordination with the concerned departments.