Saying that provision of potable water to the people of the State is the priority of government, Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Lal Choudhary said that 108 Water Supply Schemes (WSS) would be completed this year. The Minister said this while chairing a meeting of officers of PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control departments convened here today to review the financial and physical achievements registered under Capex budget.The Minister reviewed district-wise and Sector-wise schemes and got first hand appraisal of present status of the projects being executed under State sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes. He directed the concerned for utilizing the funds in total as approved under Capex budget, centrally sponsored Scheme and National Rural Drinking Water Programme ensuring time bound completion of the projects, saying that action would be taken against the non-performing officials.Directing the concerned to remove the bottlenecks, if any, creating hindrance in timely completion of work, the Minister asked to work in close coordination for revolving the issues amicably and achieving the fixed targets in full.
Directing to submit the detailed report of funds released and utilized so far under different schemes within two days, Sham Choudhary also asked to submit the physical status report of schemes being executed under PHE, Irrigation and Flood control sectors. He asked to conduct the Advocacy workshops and Melas Constituency-wise for the benefit of the people. He asked to clear the paper formalities in advance before taking-up of schemes to avoid cost run-over.
Expressing dismay over the working of Irrigation and Flood Control department, the Minister asked to make the payment of works completed under SDRF, saying that as there is no dearth of funds.The meeting was informed that an amount of Rs. 85.01 crore has been released under NRDWP, Capex Budget and LIC for execution of targeted 108 Water Supply schemes against which 72.21 crore has been expended so far. With the completion of these schemes over 13 lakh souls of 169 habitations get benefitted.The issues relating to water testing laboratories, audit and court cases were also came under discussion during the meeting.Secretary PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control M. Raju, Chief Engineers PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, RTIC, Jammu, besides concerned Executive Engineers attended the meeting.