Kishtwar, May 19 : The Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD) Kishtwar has ordered withholding of salaries of several Block Development Officers (BDOs) in the district over alleged poor implementation and non-achievement of targets under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
According to an official order issued by ACD Kishtwar Manoj Kumar (JKAS), the district had been assigned a target of generating 15,000 persondays under MGNREGA for April 2026. However, only 70 persondays were reportedly generated across the district, amounting to merely 0.47 percent achievement against the approved target.
The order states that despite repeated instructions, approved Annual Action Plans (AAPs), and communication of targets to concerned blocks, the officers failed to ensure effective execution of works, mobilisation of job card holders, and timely implementation of schemes.
The administration observed that the poor performance adversely affected the rights and entitlements of rural job card holders and violated provisions of the MGNREGA Act.
The ACD said show-cause notices had earlier been issued to concerned officers seeking explanations regarding non-performance, including possible withholding of salary and disciplinary action. While some officers submitted replies, the administration termed them “vague, unsatisfactory and devoid of substantial justification,” while several others failed to respond within the stipulated time.
Following the review, salaries of the concerned BDOs have been withheld with immediate effect until further orders.
As per the block-wise performance table issued by the department, several blocks recorded zero percent achievement, while only a few generated minimal persondays. Paddar block recorded the highest achievement at 6.67 percent, followed by Dachhan at 3.14 percent.
The order further directed all concerned officers to immediately improve key performance indicators, ensure employment generation under MGNREGA, complete pending PMAY houses, recover dues from defaulters, and submit required reports without delay, failing which strict disciplinary action under rules would be initiated.(KNC)
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