Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Friday ordered all deputy commissioners across the state to commence development works under the second phase of the Rangla Punjab Vikas Scheme by June 10 and ensure their absolute completion by July 31, while warning that funding for the third phase will be completely stopped for any area failing to submit proposals within the next two days.
Chairing a high-level review meeting of the scheme via video conferencing from Punjab Bhawan, the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema also directed the secretaries of all concerned departments to maintain strict oversight so that their respective projects strictly adhere to this timeline. Emphasising that none will be allowed to bottleneck state's development progress, Finance Minister Cheema firmly said, "The two-day window for Phase 3 proposals is final, and accountability will be enforced.
If the oroposals for Phase 3 not submitted within two days the development grants for the concerned areas will be frozen for undue delay." Additionally, the Finance Minister instructed the deputy commissioners to strategically plan and execute these works with special consideration for the upcoming rainy season to prevent weather-related disruptions or delay to ongoing infrastructure projects.
Echoing the call for administrative discipline, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha directed the deputy commissioners to ensure that all financial bills for completed works are processed and submitted in a timely manner. The Chief Secretary made it clear that the entire responsibility for any administrative delay would be fixed directly onto the defaulting implementing agency, promising swift and strict disciplinary action against those who lapse.
Furthering the push for financial transparency, Additional Chief Secretary Jaspreet Talwar ordered the immediate submission of all pending Utilization Certificates (UCs) for previously completed works. She instructed the deputy commissioners to establish a permanent, time-bound mechanism ensuring that all future UCs are filed promptly to maintain a seamless flow of development funds across Punjab.