SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday reviewed the developmental progress of Reasi district and laid e-foundation stones for five projects estimated to cost Rs 20.38 crore, directing officials to expedite ongoing works, improve funds utilisation and ensure timely completion of development projects.
Chairing a comprehensive review meeting, the Chief Minister took stock of sector-wise progress, expenditure, implementation bottlenecks and delivery of essential public services. He directed departments to accelerate expenditure and ensure that funds allocated under various development schemes translate into tangible results on the ground.
The five projects include renewal coating of the Gran to Sukhalghati (up to Toot) road under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), costing Rs 514.59 lakh; establishment of a 6.3 MVA, 33/11 KV receiving station at Chassana, Mahore, at a cost of Rs 477 lakh; levelling and construction of a boundary wall at Kalka Akhara, Reasi, costing Rs 164.86 lakh; establishment of a Centre of Excellence at Rs 464.56 lakh; and creation of a 3.15 MVA, 33/11 KV receiving station at Gulabgarh, costing Rs 416.95 lakh.
Addressing the meeting, Omar Abdullah said Reasi faced distinctive developmental challenges because of its geographical location and substantial floating population, particularly pilgrims visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi and other religious shrines.
He observed that infrastructure planning in the district must account for both its resident population and the large influx of visitors, with pilgrim footfall exceeding one crore.
The Chief Minister assured that the Government would make every possible effort to strengthen infrastructure to meet the requirements of residents as well as pilgrims.
Reviewing the Public Works (Roads and Buildings) sector, he directed officers to accelerate ongoing works and ensure optimal utilisation of available resources during the remaining working season. He also asked them to identify projects requiring re-appropriation of funds, in consultation with the respective MLAs, to ensure productive utilisation of available allocations.
On the implementation of the newly restructured rural employment framework, VB-G RAM G, the Chief Minister observed that the scheme had shifted from a demand-driven to an appropriation- and allocation-driven framework. He stressed the need to expedite expenditure and ensure that allocations resulted in tangible outcomes.
Expressing concern over staff shortages, particularly at the cutting-edge level, he said vacancies directly affected public service delivery. He observed that the issue was not limited to Reasi and said it would be examined at the departmental level.
The Chief Minister also reviewed Mission Yuva and discussed delays in the processing and disbursement of cases by financial institutions. He said the involvement of bank representatives in the project approval process was intended to facilitate loan disbursement and avoid repeated assessments by different agencies.
He assured that he would take up the matter with banks to streamline the process and address difficulties faced by beneficiaries.
Reviewing the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), Omar Abdullah stressed the need to achieve the prescribed expenditure target of over 80 per cent.
He directed departments to narrow the gap between projects receiving administrative approval and those actually commencing execution. He cautioned that delays and underutilisation of funds could affect future allocations and incentives under the scheme.
He also called for close monitoring of the physical and financial progress of SASCI projects and directed departments to ensure that approved works were taken up and completed within stipulated timelines.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Reasi Kumar Abhishek presented a detailed overview of the district’s developmental profile, sector-wise achievements and the physical and financial progress of ongoing projects.
The meeting reviewed the District and UT CAPEX budgets, tribal affairs initiatives, PMGSY road connectivity, MGNREGA employment generation and housing construction under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G).
Progress in the water and power sectors, including the Jal Jeevan Mission, urban water supply projects under AMRUT 2.0, smart metering and infrastructure augmentation under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), was also reviewed.
The Chief Minister took stock of health and social welfare initiatives, including social security pension coverage, besides reviewing agriculture and allied-sector programmes under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), the functioning of Kisan Khidmat Ghars and the issuance of Kisan Credit Cards.
Revenue generation and the targeted distribution of foodgrains through the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department also figured in the discussions.
Taking note of issues and suggestions raised by elected representatives, the Chief Minister directed departments to address the developmental requirements flagged during the meeting. He emphasised effective coordination between public representatives, the district administration and line departments to resolve local concerns and ensure balanced development.
Ministers Ali Mohammad Sagar, Sakina Itoo, Mir Saifullah, Shamim Firdous and Altaf Ahmed Wani; Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani; MLA Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Baldev Raj Sharma; MLA Gulabgarh Khursheed Ahmed; MLA Reasi Kuldeep Raj Dubey; Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta; Deputy Commissioner Reasi, SSP Reasi and other divisional and district-level officers attended the meeting.
Later, delegations from different areas of the district called on the Chief Minister and raised various developmental issues and public concerns. Omar Abdullah heard their grievances and assured them that genuine issues would be examined for appropriate redressal.
