Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Nov 11
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday directed officials in Reasi district to accelerate expenditure on development projects, address implementation delays and ensure that available funds are utilised within stipulated timelines.
Chairing a review meeting on the district’s development, Abdullah assessed the progress of ongoing works, fund utilisation and delivery of public services.
He also laid e-foundation stones for five projects with a combined estimated cost of Rs 20.38 crore, covering road connectivity, electricity infrastructure, sports facilities and agriculture.
The projects include renewal of the Gran-Sukhalghati road up to Toot under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana for Rs 5.16 crore; a 6.3 MVA, 33/11 KV receiving station at Chassana in Mahore costing Rs 4.77 crore; levelling and construction of a boundary wall at Kalka Akhara in Reasi at Rs 1.65 crore; establishment of a Centre of Excellence at Rs 4.65 crore; and a 3.15 MVA, 33/11 KV receiving station at Gulabgarh costing Rs 4.17 crore.
Abdullah said Reasi faced distinct infrastructure and planning requirements because of its geographical location and the large number of yatris visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi and other religious sites in the district.
He said infrastructure planning needed to account for both the resident population and the substantial floating population, adding that pilgrim numbers exceeded 1 crore.
Reviewing the Public Works Department, the chief minister asked officials to expedite ongoing projects and make optimum use of the remaining working season.
He also directed them to identify projects where funds could be reallocated, in consultation with the respective legislators, to ensure better utilisation of available allocations.
On the implementation of the newly restructured rural employment framework, VB-G RAM G, Abdullah said the shift from a demand-driven to an appropriation- and allocation-driven framework required faster expenditure and more effective implementation.
He also expressed concern over staff shortages, particularly at the field level, saying vacancies were directly affecting the delivery of public services. He said the issue would be examined at the departmental level.
Reviewing Mission Yuva, Abdullah discussed delays in the processing and disbursement of cases by financial institutions.
He said the participation of banks in the project approval process was intended to facilitate subsequent loan disbursements and prevent beneficiaries from undergoing repeated assessments by different agencies. He said he would take up the matter with banks to streamline the process.
On the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), the chief minister called for focused efforts to achieve the prescribed expenditure target of more than 80 per cent.
He said departments needed to reduce the gap between projects receiving administrative approval and those actually beginning execution.
Abdullah warned that delays and underutilisation of funds could affect future allocations and incentives under the scheme. He asked departments to monitor the physical and financial progress of projects and ensure their timely completion.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Reasi Kumar Abhishek presented an overview of the district’s development profile, sector-wise achievements and the status of ongoing projects.
The meeting reviewed expenditure under the district and Union Territory capital expenditure budgets, tribal affairs programmes, PMGSY, MGNREGA and the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin.
Progress in the water and power sectors, including the Jal Jeevan Mission, urban water supply projects under AMRUT 2.0, smart metering and infrastructure works under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme, was also reviewed.
The health, social welfare, agriculture and allied sectors were discussed, including social security pensions, the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme, Kisan Khidmat Ghars and the issuance of Kisan Credit Cards.
The chief minister also reviewed revenue generation and the distribution of foodgrains through the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department.
He asked officials to consider issues raised by elected representatives and stressed coordination between the district administration, departments and public representatives.
Several ministers, legislators, the chief minister’s adviser, senior civil servants and district-level officers attended the meeting.
Later, delegations from different parts of Reasi met Abdullah and raised development-related issues.
He assured them that their concerns would be examined by the administration.
