Poonch Development Push: Minister Javed Ahmed Rana Directs Fast-Track Completion of Infrastructure and RDSS Projects

JAMMU, December 26, 2025: In a comprehensive effort to accelerate the socio-economic transformation of Poonch, Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, chaired a high-level virtual review meeting today to assess the developmental roadmap for the 2025–26 financial year.

Joined by District Development Commissioner Ashok Kumar Sharma and various departmental heads, the Minister scrutinized the physical and financial progress of thousands of ongoing projects. Emphasizing a policy of zero tolerance for delays, Rana issued categorical directives to ensure that all tendering, approvals, and on-ground executions are completed within stipulated timelines, stressing that the quality of work and administrative transparency must remain paramount.

A significant portion of the review focused on the energy sector, specifically the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). The Minister described the RDSS as a “transformative initiative” vital for strengthening the power grid in the hilly terrain of Poonch and instructed officials to create a proactive roadmap for its successful implementation.

To ensure financial accountability, the Minister ordered a strict “verification-before-payment” protocol, mandating that no funds be disbursed without thorough physical inspections and adherence to approved specifications. He also reviewed the J&K Green Drive and various tribal welfare schemes, insisting that any administrative bottlenecks be cleared immediately to prevent public inconvenience.The meeting highlighted a massive scale of ongoing work across the district’s three constituencies.

The Deputy Commissioner reported that under the Rural Development Department (RDD) alone, over 2,800 works have been allotted, while the Public Works Department (PWD) is managing nearly 1,000 approved projects across Haveli, Mendhar, and Surankote. Additionally, significant progress was noted in the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and various Tribal Welfare Schemes like PMAAGY and DAJGUA.

By demanding weekly progress updates and enhanced inter-departmental coordination, Minister Rana signaled a shift toward real-time monitoring to ensure that both UT and Centrally Sponsored Schemes effectively reach the grassroots level in the border district.