Poonch: Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Pankaj Magotra on Monday chaired a meeting to assess the status and implementation of projects under the District Capex Budget 2024-25.
The meeting primarily focused on works taken up under the PRI, BDC and DDC grants, being executed by departments of Public Works Department (PWD) and Rural Development Department (RDD).
Additionally, the ADDC conducted an in depth review of works under the Power Development Department (PDD), Jal Shakti Department, Ground Water Department, District Youth Services and Sports Department and the Health and Education Departments. The ADDC emphasized the need for focused and coordinated efforts to ensure the expedited execution of developmental projects.
Stressed was laid on completion of the ongoing works related to the Health and Education departments priority. “Projects affected by disputes, if not resolvable in a practical manner, should be discontinued and not retained in the plan for the year ahead” he said.
The Chief Education Officer was specifically instructed to allocate sufficient funds for works so that they are not left incomplete. The ADDC highlighted the importance of rational fund distribution and advised against allocating inadequate funds to individual projects.
Further, he instructed that low cost works should preferably be executed by the RDD, considering their capacity to deliver efficiently at the grassroots level. He also directed that all non started works under the District Capex should be reviewed thoroughly.
Taking strong note of the lack of progress in certain sectors, the ADDC asked the Ground Water Division to furnish a written report explaining why a significant number of assigned works have not been initiated despite allocation of funds. He also emphasized that feasibility of the works and fund requirement should always be obtained from the concerned executing agencies before funds are proposed for any work, to ensure realistic planning and efficient use of financial resources.
The meeting was attended by district officers including Assistant Commissioner Panchayats having additional charge of Assistant Commissioner Development, Executive Engineers Jal Shakti and PDD, Executive Engineer PWD Division Surankote, Assistant Executive Engineer REW, District Panchayat Officer Poonch, District Youth Services and Sports Officer, Assistant Engineers from PWD Mendhar and Poonch, and Section Officers. The ADDC concluded the meeting by directing all departments to maintain transparency, strengthen inter departmental coordination, and focus on fast tracking the completion of ongoing projects under the Capex Budget with sincerity and urgency.
The ADDC also emphasized the need for preparedness and departmental readiness ahead of the upcoming District Development Council meeting.
