Srinagar, October 31, 2025 – In a high-stakes push for rural empowerment, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo today chaired a detailed review meeting of the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (RD&PR) Department, urging a “mission-mode approach” to fast-track flagship initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G), and the placement-linked skill training programme Himayat (DDU-GKY). The directives come at a critical juncture as Jammu and Kashmir aims to sustain its momentum in transformative rural reforms, ensuring no beneficiary is left behind.The meeting, held at the Civil Secretariat, saw participation from key officials including Secretary, Rural Development Department (RDD), Aijaz Asad; Director General, Rural Sanitation, Anoo Malhotra; and Managing Director, Himayat, Rajneesh Gupta, alongside other senior departmental officers. Atal Dulloo set the tone by emphasizing relentless monitoring, data-driven tracking, and unwavering adherence to deadlines to amplify the socio-economic ripple effects of these schemes.
PMAY-G: Nearing 95% Completion, Eye on New Horizons
Aijaz Asad briefed the assembly on PMAY-G’s robust strides, revealing that Jammu and Kashmir has constructed 3,18,542 houses against a sanctioned target of 3,34,718, achieving an impressive 95% completion rate. The remaining 16,176 units are in various construction phases: 6,933 actively progressing, 1,240 at plinth level, and 5,693 at lintel/roof cast stage. With Rs 35.08 crore allocated, all pending houses are slated for completion by December 31, 2025, underscoring the department’s commitment to housing security for the underprivileged.Looking ahead, preparations for PMAY-G 2.0 are in full swing, with 5,02,101 household surveys completed to pinpoint fresh beneficiaries. In a humanitarian boost, the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, has greenlit 5,061 houses under a special calamity-relief project for families hit by natural disasters. Registrations for this initiative close today, October 31, 2025, signaling an urgent call to action for eligible households.
Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin: Poised for 100% ODF+ Milestone
Praising the sanitation drive’s trajectory, Atal Dulloo lauded the near-total saturation under SBM-G, positioning the Union Territory on the cusp of 100% ODF+ Model declaration across its villages. Anoo Malhotra reported that 6,115 out of 6,216 villages—98.38%—have already earned ODF+ status, with the final 69 villages targeted for mid-November 2025. Verification efforts are equally brisk, with 5,409 villages cleared in the first round; full certification for all ODF+ models is eyed by December 2025.The review extended to policy advancements, spotlighting the draft Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Policy for Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM) and the Fecal Sludge Management (FSM) Policy. These frameworks will standardize rural waste handling and license private desludging operators, fostering sustainable sanitation ecosystems. Under the Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) 2025–26, milestones include 738 Community Sanitary Complexes (CSCs) and 1,905 Community Soak Pits, fortifying infrastructure against environmental challenges.
Himayat: Skill Surge for Youth Employability
Discussions on Himayat (Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana) focused on accelerating placement plans, with Atal Dulloo mandating swift sanctions and rollouts. The programme, designed to equip rural youth with market-relevant skills, remains pivotal in bridging the employability gap and curbing migration.In his concluding remarks, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo reiterated the imperative of accountability, real-time oversight, and timeline rigor across all verticals. “Rural development is the bedrock of inclusive growth; let us accelerate with the urgency it demands,” he asserted, galvanizing the team to deliver tangible outcomes for Jammu and Kashmir’s grassroots communities.As the UT marches toward self-reliance, these directives exemplify a blueprint for equitable progress, blending housing, hygiene, and human capital to uplift millions.
