GARHWA: Jitendra Srivastava (IAS), CMD of REC Limited and Garhwa District In-Charge for NITI Aayog, undertook a two-day visit to Garhwa, conducting an extensive review of Central Government schemes and field inspections. He was received at the Circuit House by Deputy Commissioner Dinesh Yadav and Deputy Development Commissioner Pashupatinath Mishra, and later chaired a late-night review meeting with district-level officials.
The meeting evaluated progress under the Aspirational District Programme, focusing on key sectors—health, education, agriculture, animal husbandry, road construction, irrigation, social welfare, and drinking water—and performance against NITI Aayog’s 49 indicators.
Special attention was placed on 13 critical indicators, including timely antenatal care and supplementary nutrition for pregnant women, full immunization, regular screening for diabetes and hypertension, Soil Health Card and seed distribution, animal vaccination, expansion of KCC and JLG, addressing SAM/MAM malnutrition, cage fishing, revolving funds for SHGs, and basic school infrastructure.
In health, Srivastava—reviewing with Civil Surgeon Dr. J.F. Kennedy—directed concentrated action on ANC registration, institutional deliveries, sex ratio improvement, malnutrition management via MTCs, and screening for diabetes and hypertension, with an emphasis on lifting low-performing indicators to improve the district’s Delta Ranking.
In education, District Education Superintendent Anurag Minj reported progress on drinking water, electrification, toilets, and classroom teaching. Srivastava stressed student attendance, timely textbook distribution, and scaling smart classes to strengthen learning outcomes.
In agriculture, with inputs on Rabi and Kharif output, Srivastava instructed District Agriculture Officer Khushbu Paswan to intensify Soil Health Card coverage, micro/deep irrigation, crop insurance under PM Fasal Bima, and PM-KUSUM implementation, alongside transparent crop cutting experiments. He underscored timely, inclusive delivery of scheme benefits to all eligible beneficiaries.
Cross-sector directions included accelerated implementation of PM Kisan Credit Card, Ayushman Bharat—PM-JAY, PM Suraksha Bima, PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima, Jal Jeevan Mission (linking schools and Anganwadis), Swachh Bharat with panchayat-level waste segregation structures, and quality rural roads connecting habitations to urban centres. The LDM and District Agriculture Officer were tasked with close coordination to ensure eligible farmers receive KCC benefits promptly. Deputy Commissioner Dinesh Yadav assured compliance and strengthened execution.
On field visits, Srivastava inspected agricultural activities in Khajuri–Lagma and Chirka Dam (Chinia block), advising adoption of recommended crop packages, stronger extension services, better irrigation and input supply, technical guidance, and market linkages. The cage aquaculture initiative at Chirka Dam—run by a fisheries cooperative with 165 tribal members—was cited as a transformative model: 12 tons of fish sold, 40–50 tons ready for harvest, 36 active cages, and 12 new cages prepared under PMMSY-2.
A surprise inspection at Chinia Primary Health Center highlighted constraints of staff shortages and reliance on mobile doctors and outsourcing. The team appreciated Dr. Pallavi Kumari’s efforts to sustain services through Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs, ANMs, CHOs, and Sahiyas, and issued directions to further strengthen human resources and service delivery.
The review was attended by senior district officials across health, education, rural works, drinking water and sanitation, minor irrigation, animal husbandry, fisheries, cooperatives, skills, JSLPS, PPIA Garhwa, Piramal Foundation, and other stakeholders.