In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family

SRINAGAR: Director Panchayati Raj, Jammu and Kashmir, Riyaz Ahmad Wani, on Wednesday chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the progress of the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) 2026-27 across all 20 districts of the Union Territory.

The meeting was attended by Assistant Commissioners Panchayat (ACPs), Block Development Officers (BDOs), staff of State Panchayat Resource Centre (SPRC) and District Panchayat Resource Centre (DPRC). The Director reviewed district-wise progress, pendency status and Action Taken Reports with a focus on accelerating the completion and uploading of GPDPs on the e-GramSwaraj portal.

The Director stressed the need for time-bound completion of all pending GPDP parameters. He reviewed district-wise performance and sought explanations from officers wherever progress remained unsatisfactory. He directed officers to immediately resolve such bottlenecks in coordination with the technical teams and ensure uninterrupted uploading of plans.

During the meeting, the Director instructed district officers to pay special attention to 285 Panchayats requiring focused handholding, particularly those yet to complete basic profile updates. Officers were instructed to ensure that these Panchayats improve their planning quality and achieve scores above 80, as they are under close monitoring by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

Reviewing the overall progress, the Director noted that out of 4,291 Gram Panchayats, 3,627 GPDPs had been approved while only 1,294 plans had been uploaded on the portal, indicating a significant gap requiring immediate attention.

He directed officers to convert approved plans into uploads on priority and ensure that facilitator feedback, Gram Sabha evidence and Public Information Board images are uploaded without delay.

The meeting also highlighted the need to improve the quality of uploaded plans by ensuring that activities reflected on the portal accurately match the resolutions passed during Gram Sabhas, Mahila Sabhas and Bal Sabhas.

The Director directed them to identify practical solutions rather than merely reporting problems and instructed that all pending land and infrastructure-related issues be resolved within two days. The review also covered the construction of Panchayat Ghars, availability of land, inter-departmental coordination and project implementation status.

Emphasizing quality over mere numerical achievement, Wani directed all districts to undertake random quality checks of uploaded plans, verify Gram Sabha records, resolutions and supporting documentation, and ensure that development plans are based on local needs, resource mapping and community participation.

He reiterated that GPDPs should be prepared in accordance with the prescribed framework, focusing on people-centric planning, sustainable development, resource convergence and inclusive growth. Panchayats were also instructed to strengthen community participation by conducting Ward Sabhas, Gram Sabhas and Bal Sabhas and preparing evidence-based development plans.

The meeting further reviewed financial progress under RGSA, expenditure, pending bills and  instructed districts to expedite expenditure, clear pending treasury bills  for enabling the Submission of UC to the MoPR for release of 2nd Installment.  He warned that failure to utilize allocated funds could lead to reallocation or surrender of unspent balances.

The Director directed all districts to prepare micro-plans for closing pending GPDP parameters, nominate nodal officers for daily monitoring where required, and ensure 100 percent completion of uploads within the stipulated timelines. He emphasized that daily monitoring, strict accountability and timely reporting would be essential to achieve quality GPDPs and meet the targets set for the 2026-27 planning cycle.

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A Profound Loss: JK Monitor Mourns the Passing of Founding Chairman Dr. Priya Ranjan

We at JK Monitor are profoundly saddened by the sudden demise of our Founding Chairman, Dr. Priya Ranjan.IN LOVING MEMORY Dr Priya Ranjan

A brilliant mind who studied at Netarhat Residential School and graduated in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur before earning his PhD from the University of Maryland, Dr. Ranjan chose to return to India and dedicate his life to teaching, research and social good.

His pioneering work in networked systems, AI, robotics and biomedical applications—especially computer-vision tools for early detection of cancer and heart disease—reflected his deep belief that advanced technology must serve humanity.

For more than 15 years at JK Monitor, he remained a loyal friend, mentor and collaborator, marked by rare humility, intellectual integrity and quiet generosity. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Priya, you will be deeply missed. Your life continues to remind us that knowledge finds its highest purpose in the service of others.

— Team JK Monitor

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