Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh, chaired a review meeting of District Development Board Samba, here today.Minister for Industries and Commerce, Chander Parkash, MP Shamsher Singh Manhas, Vice-Chairman, State Board for Development of Scheduled Castes, Bushan Lal Dogra; Vice Chairman, State Advisory Board for Welfare and Development of OBCs, Rashpaul Verma, Vice-Chairman State Advisory Board for Development of Kissans, Daljit Singh Chib, Chairperson State Social Welfare Board, Dr Nirmal Gupta, MLA Samba Dr Devinder Kumar Manyal, MLA Hiranagar Kuldeep Raj, DC Sheetal Nanda, SSP Anil Magotra, ADDC Vivek Sharma and HODs of different departments.The Deputy CM reviewed the progress of physical and financial progress achieved under various sectors like Health, Education, Roads, Power and Water Supply, Agriculture and allied sectors.The members expressed strong displeasure over slow pace of tendering process in several development works which badly affects the objective of launch of such government programmes. A specific mention of works for roads sanctioned under Central Road Fund scheme in March, 2017 was made which have not been started yet. The Board asked ‘Contract Committee’ and PWD department to take necessary action in this regard.
The members also urged upon the need of ensuring that AIIMS project is expedited and issues, in this regard, are redressed in a prompt manner.The Deputy CM directed officials to consult ‘Subject Matter Experts’ for developing an effective mechanism to utilise ‘Taloor Check Dam’ for power generation on which Rs 14 crore have been spent so far.Reviewing the status of development works being executed in the district, the Deputy CM asked the DC to develop mechanism for third party audit for material being supplied to government departments to ensure that quality and durable assets are created. He said that departments should make ‘Impact Assessment’ of schemes being implemented by them for further improving their service delivery system.The I&C Minister asked the tourism department to pay special focus on Purmandal-Utterbehani circuit in view of its immense potential and religious significance. He said that Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal and Sheep Husbandry and other departments need to work together in order to augment the farm income.MP, Vice Chairman’s of various boards and MLAs also put forth their suggestions and strongly advocated reducing the time between project sanction and completion.