In a major paradigm shift towards strengthening of Panchayats, timely completion of village infrastructure projects and instill accountability and transparency in execution of developmental works, the District Administration has initiated measures to construct hospital and school buildings through Village Panchayats supported by technical staff. District Development Commissioner, Udhampur, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary today outlined the broader parameters of the scheme while chairing an inter-departmental meeting for review of developmental works.More than 200 buildings in the district were awaiting construction due to repeated tendering, contractor delays and non-performance of erstwhile village education committees. Earlier, the district administration had initiated construction of pending school projects with convergence of other resources including MGNREGA.
Meanwhile action has been initiated against 14 officers including Zonal Education Officers, ZEPOs and several engineers for their poor performance in construction of buildings as per previous development meeting convened on September 21, 2015. Salary of at least 83 officers and officials has been withheld due to their non-adherence to directions issued earlier. They have been given timeline for construction of all such building by 25 February in non-snow-bound areas and by 25 March in snow-bound areas. Superintending Engineer and ExEn PWD have also been given timeline of 15 March for completion of all pending buildings.
The DDC also referred 41 cases to District Vigilance Officer for initiating proceedings against delinquent officers in view of proven delays on their parts and directed him to constitute a task force to complete enquiry against them within one month for further action. Panchayats assisted by engineers of REW, SSA and PWD will now construct the school buildings with additional resources from various schemes to be dovetailed. Social audit will be conducted for each project and panchayat will be responsible for quality of work and timely completion. PHCs and Schools will be adopted by Panchayats for model development. PHC Tikri is first health institution being adopted by 6 Panchayats. ADDC Arvind Sharma, ADC A S Rana, CPO Rakesh Jamwal, ACD Joginder Rai, ACR Rajiv Magotra, CMO Dr Chander Parkash, CMO Bishen Singh, SE PWD A K Gandotra, ExEn PWD, PHE, I&FC, REW; DSHO, CAO, DFOs, BMOs, ZEOs and ZEPOs attended the meeting.