The first batch of JRDOs (Junior Rural Development Officers) attended the first phase of an orientation programme for their new roles here today.
The JRDO position has been created within the Community and Rural Development Department with an aim to bridge the divide between communities and the state government and to take services to the last mile of the population. This will enhance collaboration and inter departmental convergence activities in the interest of community and rural development in the state, a press release stated.
The concept of the JRDO was announced in 2020 but the process was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The inaugural session began with a welcome address by C&RD Department Secretary T Lyngwa, who described this day as a “major milestone”.
The chief guest was Chief Secretary Donald P Wahlang. While congratulating the newly appointed JRDOs, he called upon them to make this profession a mission for the development of Meghalaya and expressed his hope that the appointment of the officers will make the system more robust and effective.
Emphasising on the importance of the JRDOs, he added, “Interaction with self-help groups and with people in the last mile is a must. There is a need to communicate in a language that our communities understand and the role of JRDOs is crucial in this regard”.
The Chief Secretary added that whatever strategies are implemented in the rural areas will have a direct bearing on the state’s GSDP, and will impact the last denominator in the development chain, and therefore, the JRDOs will play a crucial role in impacting the state’s development.
In his keynote address, C&RD Department Principal Secretary Sampath Kumar spoke about the aim and focus of JRDOs for strengthening and institutionalising a dedicated system for the cause of rural and community development.
He also said that Meghalaya is one of the few states in India that has a dedicated Community and Rural Development Department, as opposed to a mere Rural Development Department present in other states.
Kumar highlighted reforms taken by the Meghalaya government in recent times, such as those that have seen the MGNREGS budget growing from Rs 270 crore to Rs 1,600 crore; that have seen the number of SHGs mushroom to over 40,000; and 50 percent reservation for women in Village Employment Councils.
The JRDOs will take care of all activities dedicated to the community and rural development, spanning from community mobilisation, field visits and community interactions, inter-departmental and stakeholder convergence, weekly check-ins, collection of reviews and feedbacks, enhancing connectivity and effective communication between the government and the communities which will all contribute to not only improving development indicators, but more so, in reducing poverty.
