CS reviews implementation of USD 250 million JTFRP with World Bank Mission

Srinagar : Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam Thursday chaired a wrap up meeting with the visiting World Bank Mid Term Review Mission led by Task Team Leader; Deepak Singh to review the implementation of the World Bank funded USD 250 Million Jhelum & Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP).
The World Bank Mission which had arrived here on October, 22 visited various under construction projects in Srinagar and also held discussion with various JTFRP units.
Financial Commissioner, H & UDD, Principal Secretary, I&C Department, Principal Secretary, PD&MD, ADGP, Home Guards/SDRF, Commissioner Secretary, PW(R&B), Secretary, DMRR&R, Chief Executive Officer, JTFRP and other senior officers attended the wrap up meeting.
Team Leader, Deepak Singh while sharing his views about the progress achieved in the implementation of JTFRP, observed that overall progress has been slow. However, he added that the recent decision of the State Government to integrate JTFRP with J&K ERA is likely to ensure a seamless and quick execution process. He said work/consultancy contracts of 100 Million $ (40%) need to be awarded and disbursement of 10 Million $ (4%) achieved by mid-December. Presently, work contracts of 23 Million $ and consultancies of 12 Million $ have been awarded besides disbursement of 5 Million $ has been achieved. He also shared his views on strengthening SDMA and creating a permanent set up/structure that will focus on preempting and preventing potential disasters.
Describing JTFRP as a high priority project for Jammu & Kashmir; which is being monitored at the level of the Prime Minister, Chief Secretary observed that having identified the constraints and institutional bottlenecks hampering the accelerated pace of execution, a decision was taken to integrate JTFRP with J&K ERA, which had acquired the requisite expertise in the procedures and guidelines followed in the case of externally funded projects.
Chief Secretary assured the World Bank Team that JTFRP will be given impetus to achieve the desired outcomes. “We will see good progress in coming months especially by May, 2019”, he said and added that over 40% of the tenders will be awarded by December, 2018 also.