KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
The Cabinet which met in Jammu on Wednesday Chief Minister, Ms Mehbooba Mufti in chair, gave nod to the proposal regarding reorientation and reorganization of the Planning and Development department with the aim to ensure focused monitoring of public expenditure, timely preparation of DPRs and close monitoring of development projects.
Accordingly, as per the proposal, the Planning and Development department shall become Planning & Monitoring Department, an official spokesperson said this evening.
The need for change was necessitated following the replacement of Planning Commission of India by NITI Aayog and acceptance of the 14thFinance Commission recommendations by the Union Government, with long term ramifications as regards the planning process in the State. Under the new framework, Revenue Expenditure and Capital Expenditure Budget have been separated from last year and the process of rationalization will continue over the current year.
Similarly, in terms of a more effective delivery strategy for inclusive and balanced regional development, the State Government needs to lay stress on alternate systems of delivery of development programmes and public services: particularly execution of projects under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. Moreover, there is an equally pressing need for making the development process environment friendly and responsive to the needs of people living in far flung and difficult areas besides there is also a need to have a full-fledged project formulation division with capacities to identify and arrange the services of consultants as may be required for preparation of DPRs.
In these circumstances, a strong need was felt to reorient the Planning & Development Department on certain key aspects relating to the development process in the State.
