Rs 135.80 crore Capex Budget for 2018-19 approved
Board directs for timely completion of projects, strict implementation of DDB decisions
KISHTWAR: A plan allocation of Rs 135.80 crore has been approved for District Kishtwar for the financial year 2018-19 at the District Development Board (DDB) meeting held here today under the chairmanship of Minister for Health and Medical Education, Bali Bhagat.
Minister of State for Transport and Revenue, Sunil Kumar Sharma, Vice Chairman J&K State Advisory Board for the Dev. of Scheduled Castes, Bhushan Lal Dogra, Vice Chairman J&K State Board for the Dev. Of Gujjar & Bakerwals, Choudhary Gulzar Ahmed Khatana, legislators G.M.Saroori, Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo, Naresh Kumar Gupta, Sham Lal Bhagat, Firdous Ahmed Tak, DDC Kishtwar, Angrez Singh Rana, SSP Abrar Chowdhary, Heads of various Departments, besides District and sectorial officers were present in DDB meeting.
Bali Bhagat who is also Chairman of District Development Board Kishtwar reviewed the Action Taken Report of decisions taken in the previous board meetings and took stock of sector-wise physical & financial achievements registered in the district under district plan during 2017-18.
The District Development Commissioner, Kishtwar while welcoming the Chairman and other dignitaries in the meeting, gave a general abstract of achievements under district Capex budget 2017-18. He informed that during the financial year 2017-18, out of the revised approved allocation of 120.89 crore, the expenditure to the tune of Rs 118.12 crore was done thereby achieving 97.70% target. He further informed that while a number of the departments were able to achieve 100% target, but a few lagged behind owing to some bottlenecks in their respective projects.
While reviewing the sector-wise performance of the line departments, the Minster exhorted upon the officers to put in their sincere and dedicated efforts and make judicious use of funds, ensuring time bound completion of projects in a fair and transparent manner. He directed the District Officers to undertake regular field visits within their jurisdiction to get useful feedback on ground about the actual picture on the implementation of various govt schemes/programmes meant for the welfare of general public.
Terming health as a priority sector, the minister directed the concerned executing agency involved in construction of additional 100-bedded IPD Block at DH Kishtwar to expedite the process and complete the work by April this year. He directed the DDC to identify land for construction of AYUSH Hospital which has been sanctioned recently by the Govt of India to be constructed at an estimated costing Rs 4 crore. He said that the govt has already released Rs. 2 crore for the land acquisition for the said hospital.
Bali further informed the House about the sanctioning of Rs 3.5 crore project of B.Sc Nursing College for the district for which the district administration has been asked to identify the suitable land and acquiring the same for the purpose on priority.
While reviewing the progress of important Naigad Water Supply Scheme, the minister laid emphasis for speeding up the pace of project so that the scheme is made operational as early as possible. It was informed that the work of 20-km platform and 18-km DI pipes has been completed for laying of gravity main from both sides. Over 50% head work has been completed and the scheme will be made completely operational by the end of this year, which will counter the scarcity of water in the town.
The progress of other major projects including, Degree College Chatroo, Multipurpose Indoor Stadium Hall at Kishtwar, Govt Polytechnic College Kishtwar was also reviewed and thrust was laid for their timely completion. The Board called for monitoring the progress of all these schmes on regular basis to complete these in at time bound manner.
Bhali directed the DDC to identify suitable land for creation of additional bus stand, fire station, physical education school and agricultural institute, which have been sanctioned by the govt for the district.
The chairman reiterated that the DDB is an important institution of the government and a most suitable platform for implementation of the govt programmes and policies. He said the decisions taken during the Board meetings must be taken with all seriousness and implemented in letter and spirit to maintain the dignity of this important institution. He directed all the officers to work in close synergy to achieve desirable and timely results.
The DDB also decided to recommend to the Government for sanctioning of a Govt Degree College for Women at Kishtwar and introducing of additional subjects in Degree College Kishtwar.
Asserting that the process of land acquisition and land compensation being a major bottleneck in majority of projects, he directed DDC to prepare a detailed report and list of pending land compensation cases and submit the same to the chairman on 16th April in his chamber for taking the matter with concerns quarters to expedite the matter. He also directed for formulation of a DPR for creation of at least 100- vehicle parking lot at DH Kishtwar.
Taking serious note of encroachment of government land at different points, the Board directed the Collectors to be tough on encroachment and take strict action against the defaulters. The administration was directed to remove all the reported encroachments on govt properties immediately.
The Board expressed its concern over the poor performance under SBM and directed the DDC and ACD kishtwar to meet the targets before the deadline of August 2018 fixed by the govt.
The Minister listed the projects sanctioned by coalition govt for the development of Kishtwar district and said that it is endeavour of the govt to ensure better infrastructural facilities for the people and fulfil their expectation. He asked the officers to project people’s demands before the government with right earnest so that the benefits of various programmes reached out to the needy.
The legislators also put forth their view points and demands concerning to their areas. They called for making the administration more responsible and countable while achieving the targets of major projects. They also stressed for implementation of all decisions of the Board with all seriousness and officers should take on Board the local public representatives while formulating the developmental schemes so that the objective of such schemes is achieved in right earnest.