Excelsior Correspondent
BUDGAM, Dec 4: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today inaugurated and laid e-foundation stones for a series of transformative development projects in Budgam district worth nearly Rs 100 crore, giving a major push to local infrastructure and public services.
The projects include multiple Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) Water Supply Schemes across Gudsathoo, Dreygam, Drang, Kultreh Wanpora, Qazipora, Awanpora, Rangreth Wavoosa, Checkmari Colony, Nowbugh, Delipora Badipora and Zaloosa, aimed at providing reliable and safe drinking water to thousands of households.
In addition, the Chief Minister inaugurated works for a Multi-Level Car Parking facility, announced the upgradation of the Kadalbal-Lasjan Road, and laid the foundation stone for the construction of a 2×35 m Steel Truss Bridge over Nallah Sukhnag at Beerwah, in order to significantly improve traffic flow, connectivity and commuter convenience in the area.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Speaker Legislative Assembly & MLA Charar-i-Sharief, Advocate Abdul Raheem Rather; Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmad Rana; Advisor to the CM Nasir Aslam Wani; MLA Budgam, Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi; MLA Beerwah, Shafi Ahmed Wani; MLA Chadoora, Ali Mohammad Dar; MLA Khan Sahib, Saifud-din Bhat, along with senior officers and officials from the concerned departments.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister directed the Budgam district administration to ensure full winter preparedness so that the people of the district do not face any inconvenience in terms of electricity, ration supply or snow clearance during the coming months.
He issued these directions while chairing a detailed district review meeting in Budgam, where the entire developmental scenario of the district was assessed threadbare.
The Chief Minister expressed concern that snow clearance last year had suffered due to lack of coordination between different agencies. He pointed out that often various stretches of connected roads are being maintained by multiple departments, resulting in only partial clearance as each agency clears its own portion and leaves the remaining unattended. He directed the district administration to evolve a mechanism for coordinated snow clearance, for appointing a nodal officer if necessary, and ensure that entire roads are cleared end-to-end regardless of whether these fall under PMGSY, R&B or any other agency.
Referring to developmental works, the Chief Minister acknowledged that the district had faced delays due to two months of the Model Code of Conduct and procedural issues of financial approvals. He nevertheless urged the administration to make the best possible use of the remaining working months-December, January, February and March-while ensuring that expenditure is made responsibly and not merely for the sake of spending. He said it must be ensured that no funds lapse and that the money spent translates into visible public benefit.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the importance of timely expenditure under SASCI, noting that nearly 80 percent of the funds under the scheme are required to be spent within a specified time frame to avoid forfeiture. He instructed the Deputy Commissioner to review SASCI progress at least three to four times a month and push departments wherever necessary so that the required expenditure is booked in time and the district continues to receive funds under the scheme.
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