SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir is set to establish a dedicated Project Monitoring Group (JK-PMG) to monitor major developmental projects and facilitate speedy resolution of bottlenecks affecting their implementation, officials said.
The framework for replicating the National Project Monitoring Group (PMG) mechanism in the Union Territory was presented to Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo by representatives of the National PMG here.
The proposed JK-PMG will focus on strengthening project oversight, improving coordination among departments and ensuring timely intervention in issues related to land acquisition, statutory clearances, construction approvals and other implementation hurdles.
Dulloo stressed the need to leverage technology to move from periodic status reporting to real-time, milestone-based monitoring of projects.
He said a comprehensive digital platform would help track project progress, identify critical gaps and facilitate informed decision-making based on reliable data.
The chief secretary also called for a clearly defined escalation mechanism so that issues are addressed at the appropriate level and matters requiring higher-level intervention are taken up without delay.
He asked the National PMG team to conduct additional capacity-building sessions for local stakeholders to familiarise them with the system, workflow and escalation mechanism and prepare them to operate the platform effectively.
Commissioner Secretary, Planning Development and Monitoring Department (PD&MD), R Alice Vaz, said the National PMG currently monitors 61 projects in Jammu and Kashmir involving investments of Rs 3.91 lakh crore.
She said 130 active issues related to these projects are presently under review through the National PMG portal.
The proposed JK-PMG will function under the overall supervision of the chief secretary, with a dedicated team of project experts and a designated administrative department handling its day-to-day operations and coordination.
It will monitor mega and strategically important projects, track milestones and pending approvals, facilitate coordination between executing agencies and district administrations, and escalate unresolved issues for appropriate intervention.
Under the proposed framework, Administrative Secretaries and Heads of Departments will conduct fortnightly departmental reviews, followed by monthly reviews chaired by the chief secretary. Matters requiring consideration at the highest level will be reviewed by the chief minister.
The National PMG team also demonstrated the proposed digital workflow, which will use a cost-free portal with automated reporting and analytical features.
Under the system, project proponents will register projects and flag bottlenecks, while sponsoring departments will verify the issues. The concerned departments or district administrations will then take action for their resolution. Critical unresolved matters will be escalated to higher-level forums involving the stakeholders concerned.
Later, the National PMG team conducted a sensitisation workshop for officers and officials of the Planning Department and other stakeholders, explaining the proposed group’s institutional structure, digital workflow, monitoring mechanism and escalation process.
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