Kargil, October 30, 2025: During the penultimate day of her visit to Kargil District, Ms. Geetika Sharma, IAS (AGMUT-2012), Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Mines.

Kargil, October 30, 2025: During the penultimate day of her visit to Kargil District, Ms. Geetika Sharma, IAS (AGMUT-2012), Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Mines, today chaired a meeting in the chamber of the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kargil, to review the Assessment and Verification of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) projects through the team of Central Nodal Officers (CNOs) appointed under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan.
She was accompanied by Dr. Aditya Sharma, Scientist, Central Water Commission (CWC). The Additional Deputy Commissioner welcomed them on behalf of the District Administration.
The meeting was also attended by Chief Engineer, PHE/I&FC; Executive Engineer, PHE-Kargil; Executive Engineer, I&FC; Chief Horticulture Officer; Chief Agriculture Officer; Assistant Executive Engineer, I&FC (Liaison Officer); Block Development Officer, Shargole beside other officials.
During the meeting, Ms. Sharma emphasized the need for a comprehensive IEC (Information, Education and Communication) campaign for the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and stressed on the insulation of water taps across various villages to prevent freezing during winter. She also reviewed the Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Fund and directed the officers concerned to nominate a Nodal Officer to track and update project files at the Ministry level.
She further called for the conversion and upgradation of existing water-related schemes, including the revival of Shashi Lake and the creation of large conservation ponds to improve local water availability. She was informed that under the Special Development Package (SDP), new proposals of advanced water conservation technologies are already in the pipeline.
Referring to her three-day field visit to various villages, Ms. Sharma highlighted several issues raised by local residents and elected representatives. She underscored the need to expedite works related to snow check dams, percolation tanks, regulation of headworks at Sanjak before winter and repair of collection chambers. She instructed Officers to compile and submit detailed reports regarding ongoing watershed development initiatives to her office for onward submission to the authorities.
Dr. Aditya Sharma, Scientist, also shared valuable insights during the meeting. He suggested integrated project mapping under JJM, fund convergence, promotion of success stories and focus on ground-water revival, Amrit Sarovar development and sustainable water resource management.
A detailed discussion also took place on the achievements and future plans of the Agriculture and Horticulture Departments, highlighting the importance of innovation, efficient irrigation, and long-term sustainability.
The Additional Deputy Commissioner expressed gratitude to the Central Team for its second visit to Kargil this year with immense enthusiasm. He expressed hope that the outcome of the team’s visit to various locations across the District will bear fruitful results.