Rural Development

The Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj is directly associated and involved in Socio economic upliftment of rural masses through the implementation of various developmental schemes of the Govt. viz MGNREGA, PMAY (G), SBM(G), 14TH FC, 15TH FC, RGSA etc. It imbibes both the economic betterment of people as well as greater social transformation. Increased participation of people in the rural development programmes, decentralization of planning for strengthening institutions of self-government i.e. panchayats for providing the rural people with better prospects.
The Rural Development Department largely works to enhance livelihood opportunities, address chronic poverty, provides social security and works for economic inclusion of rural poor families. The vision and mission of the Rural Development Department is sustainable and inclusive growth of rural areas through a multipronged strategy for eradication of poverty by increasing livelihoods opportunities, providing social safety net and developing infrastructure for growth. This is expected to improve quality of life in rural areas and to correct the developmental imbalances, aiming in the process, to reach out to most disadvantaged sections of the society.

Rural areas and rural infrastructure are being developed to create not only modern amenities and durable assets but also to generate employment opportunities (Mandays) for driving the rural economy and checking rural migration. To realize these objectives MGNREGA has been launched and is under implementation for the last 15 years in district Poonch. The scheme is contributing to the rural economy by generating mandays and to rural infrastructure by creating durable assets in the shape of Rural Connectivity, Flood Control /Protection, Water Conservation and Water Harvesting, Drought Proofing, Micro Irrigation, Land Development and Renovation of Traditional Water Bodies.

At the District level, following officers are under the administrative control of the Directorate of Rural Development, Jammu.

1. Assistant Commissioner Development.
2. Assistant Commissioner Panchayat.
3. Executive Engineer, REW.
4. District Panchayat Officer.

The Rural Development Department Poonch exercises control over the following 11 blocks