Administrative Secretary, Shashanka Ala chairs meeting with staff members of Rural Development Department.

Kargil, Dec 26, 2024: Administrative Secretary for Rural Development, Panchayat Raj, IT, and Disaster Management, Shashanka Ala today chaired a review meeting with staff members of Rural Development Department at Council Secretariat, Conference Hall, Kargil.
The meeting was attended by Director, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department, Ladakh, Syed Sajjad Qadri; Assistant Commissioner Development, Kargil, Razia Khatoon; Assistant Commissioner Development, Leh, A.G. Zargar (virtually); all Block Development Officers (BDOs) from Kargil and Leh; Executive Engineers; Junior Engineers; Accounts Officer; Assistant Director Planning; SPM/DPM and other concerned officials.
The Administrative Secretary Shashanka Ala asked all officials to introduce themselves and provide details about their postings and the status of ongoing projects.
Director Syed Sajjad Qadri presented a detailed briefing to the Secretary, covering key aspects such as the department’s working structure, staff strength, manpower shortages, Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) status, and promotional issues. On the developmental front, he highlighted the progress of major projects, financial challenges, Panchayat Raj institution funds, and issues related to schemes such as the Integrated Watershed Management Program, Swachh Bharat Mission, Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, MGNREGA, PMAY, and NRLMs.
Administrative Secretary Shashanka Ala instructed the Engineers and all concerned BDOs to submit checklists for all newly constructed Common Facility Centers (CFCs), Panchayat Ghars, and BDO offices. These checklists must be rechecked and signed by the respective Junior Engineers. She mentioned that during her recent visit, she observed some discrepancies and asked reasons from the concern BDOs behind the non-functioning of some blocks under the SWAN scheme.
She further directed all BDOs to prepare micro-level plans at the block level to implement schemes based on the specific needs and priorities of the area. She emphasized that government schemes are designed to benefit the intended beneficiaries and stressed that working Self-Help Groups (SHGs) should reap the rewards of their hard work. She reiterated that every effort should yield tangible and meaningful outcomes.
Shashanka Ala also instructed the officers to ensure that local products made by SHGs gain wider market access and are available in cooperative supermarkets. She highlighted the critical need for branding and improved packaging to enhance the marketability of these products.
In conclusion, the Administrative Secretary conveyed a positive message, stating that she would closely monitor ongoing and completed projects. She expressed confidence that, with collective efforts, they would achieve meaningful outcomes and maximize the benefits of government schemes for the people of Ladakh