Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Oct 03
The Centre on Friday asked Jammu and Kashmir authorities to speed up development projects and centrally sponsored schemes, with senior officials stressing time-bound execution, effective monitoring and delivery of benefits to people.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and Additional Secretary (Foreigners and UT), Union Ministry of Home Affairs, Nitesh Vyas, jointly chaired a high-level meeting at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre to review the progress of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), flagship programmes and ongoing projects across J&K.
The meeting focused on removing implementation bottlenecks, optimal utilisation of funds and stronger coordination among departments and implementing agencies.
Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti, Shaleen Kabra; Additional Chief Secretary, Power Development Department, Ashwani Kumar; Principal Secretary, Home, Chandraker Bharti; administrative secretaries and other senior officers attended the meeting.
Dulloo said implementation of centrally sponsored schemes should go beyond meeting physical targets and ensure that infrastructure and services created under them deliver sustained and measurable benefits.
He directed departments to prioritise timely completion of projects, effective utilisation of funds and saturation of eligible beneficiaries under welfare and development schemes.
The Chief Secretary also stressed regular field-level monitoring and periodic assessment to identify gaps early and take corrective measures.
Vyas called for timely execution, inter-departmental coordination and effective use of resources, while asking departments to ensure that benefits reach intended beneficiaries without delay.
He also asked implementing agencies to maintain close coordination with the concerned Union ministries and resolve issues affecting project execution promptly.
The meeting reviewed a range of Union government schemes and projects, including Samagra Shiksha and PM SHRI Schools, with a presentation covering school selection, comparative assessment and infrastructure status.
Progress under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana and preparedness for PM-SETU were also reviewed.
The meeting took stock of the PM Surya Ghar-Muft Bijli Yojana, including rooftop solar installations in households and solarisation of government buildings.
Smart meter installation, power infrastructure augmentation, connectivity infrastructure and projects under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme also figured in the review.
The implementation of BharatNet Phase-III was reviewed with a focus on expanding broadband infrastructure and digital connectivity across J&K.
The officials reviewed major social security and welfare schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana.
The implementation of POSHAN 2.0 was also assessed, including nutritional profiles, workforce vacancies and key indicators related to Saksham Anganwadi.
The health sector review covered Ayushman Bharat Digital Health, Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, National Health Mission and TB Mukt Bharat.
Officials discussed targets for TB elimination and strategies to achieve the desired outcomes. The National AYUSH Mission was also reviewed.
The progress of AMRUT 2.0 projects was reviewed along with their physical and financial status.
Urban housing and sanitation initiatives under PMAY-U and Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban were also assessed, including PMAY-U 1.0 and 2.0.
The meeting reviewed rural housing under PMAY-Gramin, focusing on financial utilisation, delivery and progress in providing houses to eligible beneficiaries.
In tourism, officials reviewed Swadesh Darshan 1.0 and 2.0, PRASHAD and the India Infrastructure Project Development Fund, with emphasis on project execution and infrastructure development.
Green mobility and civil aviation infrastructure were also discussed, including electric mobility initiatives, FAME and PM-eBus projects.
The meeting reviewed the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund, with discussions on infrastructure, fish production, post-harvest management, market linkages and livelihood opportunities.
Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin was reviewed with a focus on sanitation, waste management and maintaining Open Defecation Free status in villages.
Officials stressed proper maintenance of sanitation infrastructure and management of household, plastic and greywater waste.
Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, the review focused on functional household tap connections, water supply infrastructure, operation and maintenance, water quality monitoring and sustainability of drinking water sources.
Development of water transport and inland waterways was also discussed, including the potential for terminals, jetties and navigational facilities to improve passenger and goods movement.
Later, Dulloo and Vyas separately reviewed the implementation of the New Criminal Laws and the new legal framework governing immigration and foreigners’ management in Jammu and Kashmir.
