Village headmen in Jammu and Kashmir [Images] have to keep hawkish eyes on implementation of government programmes in their areas, and for this, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Tuesday promised them free travel facilities in government owned buses.

"You have to keep an eagle's eye on execution of developmental works, monitor functioning of educational institutions, anganwari centres, mid-day meal scheme as well as nutrition provided to the students in primary schools," Azad said while addressing a day-long convention of village headmen in Jammu on Tuesday.

The chief minister said the headmen have to "act as watchdog for monitoring massive infrastructure development works launched by the government across the state so that the pace and quality of works was ensured and benefits accrued to people."

"The headmen have to act as the eyes and ears of the administration and help the government in carrying forward its developmental agenda," Azad said.

Azad said the institutions were time-tested and the government had decided to strengthen these.

He asked the headmen to send their periodic reports to the additional district development commissioners.

Amid applause, the chief minister announced free travel facility to village headmen in government buses and said they would be issued identity cards to avail of the facility.

Azad recalled that as union tourism minister about 13 years ago, he had made provision for 50 per cent air travel concession to senior citizens within the country.

Scores of village headmen have been killed by militants in the 18-year-old separatist violence in Kashmir.