Jammu, January 28 (Scoop News) – Terming State Information Commission (SIC) an important milestone in his road map for transparency, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Friday said that Right to Information Act (RTI) would be an efficient device to check malpractices at all levels.
“We have made RTI more forceful and effective to provide ample room to general public for scanning the functioning of Government departments at various levels”, he said adding that after unanimous decision about State Chief Information Commissioner, the names of two Information Commissioners would be finalized soon.
Reviewing the progress of development on various works in separate District Board meetings of Reasi and Samba districts here, the Chief Minister said that judicious utilization of finances at all levels is imperative to ensure better delivery on ground.
Omar said performance of district administration would be gauged by the honest management of spending and timely completion of works along with physical targets achievement. “Attention has to be focused on successful implementation of schemes in consonance with norms and set procedures”, he said.
The meetings were attended by the Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand, Minister for Industries, S.S. Slathia, Minister for Higher Education, Abdul Gani Malik, Vice Chairman, District Development Board, Reasi and Minister of State for Power, Shabir Ahmad Khan, Vice Chairman of District Development Board, Samba and Minister of State for Rural Development, Aijaz Ahmad Khan, Advisors to the Chief Minister, Mubarak Gul and Devender Singh Rana, Parliament Members Lal Singh and Sham Lal Sharma, Vice Chairmen of Gujjar, Pahari, SC, OBC, Kissan, Legislators Baldev Raj, Harsh Dev, Yashpaul Kundal and Durga Dass.
The Chief Minister said that the third party monitoring of works put in place by his government was also an effective measure to check the quality, status and progress of various projects and schemes. “We are also monitoring the schemes at the Secretariat level. CM’s Grievance Cell is receiving regular feedbacks of various works”, he said adding that the Cell will be further strengthened.
Omar Abdullah directed the district administration to formulate a comprehensive programme for revival of water bodies and restoration of ponds and pools in the kandi areas of Samba and Reasi districts to store and harvest rain and other waters. “Wherever necessary tanker service for supply of drinking water should be extended”, he said maintaining that revival of water bodies would be more beneficial in water scarce areas.
The Parliament Members, Legislators and other members of the District Boards highlighted the development demands of their constituencies and emphasized the need for additional funds to complete the schemes and launch new ones. They also discussed sector wise progress and status of works under implementation. The members suggested measures to make development strategy more effective and prompt.
In a power point presentation the progress achieved in Reasi district during the current fiscal by the middle of this January, the District Development Commissioner, P.K. Pole said that 71 percent achievements have been registered in the district in the current District Plan.
He said out of the total availability of Rs. 44 crores of capital component more than Rs. 31 crores have been spent by the middle of January. He gave over view of the progress sector wise and identified areas where additional funds are required for speedy completion.
The Chief Minister approved Rs. 5.29 crore additionality for the district including Rs. one crore for office complex, Rs. 13 lakhs for Dug-Reala road, Rs. 16 lakhs for four wooden bridges, Rs. 23 lakhs for Sukhal Ghati bridge, Rs. 35 lakhs for Conference Hall, Mahore, Rs. 15 lakhs for Conference Hall, Dharmadi, Rs. one crore for HT and LT improvement, Rs. 40 lakhs for civic amenities in various villages, Rs. one crore for eight roads in Gulab Garh, Reasi, Gool, Arnas etc., Rs. 40 lakhs for upgradation of Reasi town and Rs. 30 lakhs for three children parks.
In his presentation, the District Development Commissioner, Samba, Mubarak Singh said that Samba district has registered 81 percent achievements of the current District Plan by the middle of this January. He said out of total availability of Rs. 44.59 crores, over Rs. 35.48 crores have been spent during the same period.
Mubarak Singh gave sector wise details of spending and physical achievements. He also presented detailed account of scheme wise requirement of additional funds. He brought to the notice of Chief Minister matters pertaining to fast tracking development programmes.
He said that 150 ponds and pools are being presently restored in the kandi areas under MGNREGA for water harvesting.
The Chief Minister announced Rs. 5.15 crore additionality for the Samba district to fast track various schemes in various public service sectors.
The Deputy Chief Minister in his speech thanked the Chief Minister for his keen monitoring of development works and providing additional funds wherever required.
Tara Chand said that under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister the state is marching ahead to achieve the development targets and bring peace and tranquility. He said coalition government is committed to the equitable development of all regions in the state and schemes to this effect have been already launched while as many more are in the pipe line.