Approval of MGNREGA Supplementary Annual Work Plan 2024-25

Jaisalmer, – A special general meeting of the Jaisalmer District Council was held on Saturday at the Panchayat Samiti auditorium under the chairmanship of District Chief Pratapsingh Saunlaki. During this special session, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) supplementary annual work plan for 2024-25 was reviewed in detail, and a budget of ₹412.61 crores for 8,615 works was unanimously approved by the members. Notably, 4,121 tree plantation projects were sanctioned. The session saw the presence of Barmer-Jaisalmer MP Umedaram Beniwal, Sankra Panchayat Samiti President Bhagwat Singh, Fatehgarh Janaksingh Chief Executive Officer Bhagirath Vishnoi, UIT Secretary Jitendra Singh Naruka, along with district council members and departmental officers.

During the meeting, MP Beniwal directed the officials to work with a team spirit to contribute significantly to the holistic development of the district and to ensure full cooperation from public representatives. He particularly emphasized that water and electricity department officials should ensure timely supply of drinking water and uninterrupted electricity to the area, and urged prompt execution of departmental works. He also called for complete transparency in the Jal Jeevan Mission, ensuring no household is left without a tap connection. Additionally, he stressed the need for maintaining high quality in the construction of asphalt roads in rural areas.

District Chief Pratapsingh Saunlaki directed the officials to prioritize resolving issues related to water and electricity as highlighted by public representatives, and to ensure that problems faced by the general public are addressed promptly. He encouraged officials to coordinate with public representatives to set new benchmarks in development and to listen to and resolve the public's issues patiently. He also instructed the water supply department officials to ensure the quality of pipelines being laid under the Jal Jeevan Mission and mandated that water and electricity department officials ensure their staff are responsive to representatives' calls.

Moreover, the Chief Engineer of the electricity department was instructed to prioritize both domestic and agricultural connections and ensure full voltage supply in rural areas. The Joint Director of the agriculture department was tasked with timely stocking of DAP and urea fertilizers and ensuring that farmers benefit from subsidies on solar pumps for their ponds.

Former District Chief and district council member Abdullah Fakir highlighted the need for uninterrupted drinking water supply in Sankra, swift repair of broken hand pumps, and operationalizing the Masuriya tubewell. He also emphasized keeping the FRT team of the electricity department ready to address any faults immediately and starting approved GSS works.

District council member Anjana Meghwal called for new proposals to replace failed drinking water tubewells in Mirwala and Bandha, and for ensuring smooth water supply in Sawata, Rasla, Kathodi, and Kanai.

Chief Executive Officer Vishnoi presented the MGNREGA supplementary annual plan for 2024-25, proposing 8,615 works with a budget of ₹412.61 crores, which was unanimously approved by all members.

The meeting also reviewed the departmental compliance report of the previous session and discussed various departmental issues raised by the members, urging prompt resolution. Department officials provided detailed updates on their respective activities and the progress of ongoing schemes.