Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 11: Dismaying over the poor functioning of Communication and Capacity Development Unit (CCDU), Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma, today constituted a Committee under the chairmanship of Chief Engineer, PHE, Jammu to look into the details about the functioning and modus-operandi adopted by the agency in funds utilization. The Committee will submit its findings within 15 days to the Minister.
The main objectives of the CCDU are to develop State specific information, education and communication strategy for reforming initiatives in water and sanitation, to improve capacity development of functionaries at different levels, to address water quality issues, water quality monitoring, sanitation & hygiene, social mobilization, to sensitize the masses through door to door campaign about the water quality, audio visual publicity and publicity through different modes including hoardings, wall writings and press media.
Chairing the maiden review meeting of PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, the Minister stressed on judicious use of drinking water, adding that the department should launch an awareness campaign about the water usages and ensure quality water to the people across the State. He directed the officers to ensure metering at all commercial establishments by the end of current month.
To further streamline the functioning of PHE Department, the Minister said that the Government will introduce social audit on the analogy of Health Department. He said a format will be devised in which every officer will reflect his performance on monthly basis that will help improve overall functioning of the department. Any officer found lacking in his performance will face action under rules, Mr. Sham asserted.
Expressing satisfaction on the implementation of advisory issued after the introductory meeting, the Minister directed for improving the work culture and affecting necessary facelift of offices. He directed the concerned to display citizens’ charter in every division for information of the public and any deviation of the instructions will attract action. He also directed the Executive Engineers to stay at their headquarters and conduct field visits at least three days in a week and submit their tour diaries to the Chief Engineers and Administrative Department.
Giving fresh guidelines to the engineers, the Minister asked them not to lay down the pipes unless the water scheme is totally developed and handed over by the designated team of engineers after proper verification. He also directed for rationalization of staff as per the work load and curbing the attachments at all levels.
Setting deadline for desilting the canals and tributaries, the Minister directed the Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control, Jammu to complete all works before March 10 so that the water is thrown open instantly. He directed for judicious use of funds and clearing all pending liabilities besides maintaining irrigational tube-wells to improve the irrigational facilities in Jammu division.
Commissioner/Secretary PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Dr. Pawan Kotwal briefed the Minister about the functioning of each wing of the department. He assured that the targets will be realized well before the close of financial year.
Chief Engineer, PHE, Jammu, Ashwani Sharma, Chief Engineer, RTIC, V.K. Badyal, Chief Engineer, Irrigation & Flood Control, K.K.Gupta and Executive Engineers of PHE, Irrigation & Control from across the Jammu Division were present in the meeting.
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