Administrative Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department, UT Ladakh, Nidhi Malik on May 26 chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the physical and financial progress of various Rural Development and Panchayati Raj schemes being implemented across the Union Territory.

The meeting focused on the implementation status, financial utilisation, coverage, infrastructure creation, employment generation and grassroots governance under various centrally sponsored and UT sector schemes being executed by the Rural Development Department in Leh district and Kargil district.

Syed Sajjad Qadri, who joined the meeting virtually, delivered a detailed presentation covering the department’s administrative functioning, staff strength, vacancies, developmental achievements, ongoing projects and future action plans. Senior officers from Leh and Kargil also participated in the meeting physically and virtually.

During the presentation, district-wise physical and financial achievements under MGNREGA for the financial year 2026–27 were reviewed in detail. Officials informed the meeting that approved labour budgets up to May 2026 stood at 0.11 lakh in Kargil and 0.07 lakh in Leh, while person-days achieved against targets reached 0.53 lakh in Kargil and 0.004 lakh in Leh.

The meeting was informed that overall achievement stood at approximately 0.54 lakh person-days. Women’s participation under the programme was recorded at 86 percent in Kargil and 52 percent in Leh, reflecting significant involvement of women in rural employment generation activities.

The financial progress under MGNREGA was also reviewed comprehensively. Officials informed the meeting that a total central release and availability of Rs 327.64 lakh had been fully utilised, achieving 100 percent expenditure utilisation. Wage expenditure amounting to Rs 120 lakh and material liabilities of approximately Rs 310 lakh were also discussed.

The meeting further reviewed the coverage and registration status under MGNREGA. Officials informed that the Rural Development Department presently covers two districts, 31 blocks and 191 Gram Panchayats across Ladakh.

As per the presentation, Kargil district recorded issuance of over 21,000 active job cards, while Leh district recorded more than 14,000 active job cards.

The cumulative number of registered workers across Ladakh crossed 77,000, including substantial participation of women workers under the scheme.

The Administrative Secretary reviewed transparency and monitoring mechanisms being followed for employment generation and maintenance of MGNREGA records.

The review meeting also examined the status of newly conducted surveys under various rural development initiatives. Officials informed that a total of 3,835 surveys had been completed across Leh and Kargil districts, including extensive assisted surveys carried out at the grassroots level for beneficiary identification and planning purposes.

Special focus was laid on the implementation status of flagship schemes, including Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) 2.0, Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin, National Rural Livelihood Mission, Watershed Development Component under PMKSY, Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, ODF Plus initiatives, Solid Waste Management infrastructure and the Vibrant Village Programme.

While reviewing Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), the Administrative Secretary assessed the operational status of sanitation infrastructure, waste management systems, segregation mechanisms, sheds, collection centres and garbage transportation facilities established in rural areas. She sought details regarding the functioning of garbage collection vehicles, sustainability of waste management systems and utilisation of available infrastructure in villages and blocks.

The meeting also reviewed the implementation progress under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin. Officials informed that a large number of rural housing units sanctioned under the scheme had been completed successfully, resulting in significant saturation levels in eligible villages. Photographic documentation of completed houses and field-level implementation status were also presented during the meeting.

The Administrative Secretary further reviewed the implementation of the Vibrant Village Programme, under which the Rural Development Department has been functioning as the nodal implementing agency in Ladakh. Detailed roadmaps prepared for developmental interventions, infrastructure creation, livelihood generation and capacity building in identified border villages were discussed.

Detailed deliberations were also held regarding Panchayat Development Plans, block-level execution mechanisms, convergence of schemes, administrative coordination with Hill Development Councils and strengthening of local self-governance institutions. The role and responsibilities of Block Development Officers, implementation agencies and Panchayati Raj Institutions were discussed extensively to ensure better monitoring and accountability at the grassroots level.

Nidhi Malik emphasised the need for strengthening transparency, accountability and quality monitoring systems in the execution of developmental works. She stressed the importance of third-party verification mechanisms, timely completion of projects, proper maintenance of assets and effective utilisation of funds under all schemes.

The Administrative Secretary also reviewed online portals related to beneficiary monitoring, job card management, survey mechanisms and implementation tracking systems. Discussions were held regarding strengthening digital governance, improving real-time monitoring and enhancing public service delivery in rural areas.

She directed officers to improve planning, monitoring and execution mechanisms and instructed that separate detailed review meetings on major schemes and developmental initiatives would be conducted periodically for closer assessment and timely resolution of issues.

The meeting was attended by Joint Director Finance, ACD Leh, CPO Leh, BDOs, ACD Kargil and officers of the concerned departments, while the Director, Rural Development Department and other senior officials joined virtually.