Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Dec 16: Citing several factors behind delay in completion of development projects in the district, Chairman DDC Kathua Col (retd) Mahan Singh today sought relaxation of embargo of 70 % expenditure by December 31, and demanded last date for submission of utilization certificates for 100% expenditure up to March 31, 2022.
He raised the demand while chairing a meeting of District Development Council (DDC) Kathua to review the CAPEX budget.
The DDC Chairman asserted that if the Government will not relax the embargo of 70% expenditure by 31-12-2021, a large portion of funds will go unutilized which should not be the case. He said that slow pace of work has lead to this situation but for the welfare of people it should be ensured that the funds should not lapse and for this it is necessary to extend the last date for submission of 100% utilization certificates till March 31, 2022 instead of December 31, 2021 fixed for 70% expenditure completion.
DC Kathua, Vice Chairman, DDC Kathua, DDC members, BDC chairpersons, and sectoral officers were also present in the meeting. The meeting was apprised that all the works have been accomplished through e-tendering but certain bottlenecks have hampered the works leading to slow pace. It was informed that only 40 per cent of work has been completed and if the date will not be extended about 50 percent funds will be lapsed.
The officials representing different departments said that payments have not been released in case of Back to Village, MGNREGA and other schemes, and the contractors have stopped works after apprehension that if the 70% works will not be completed before December 31, they will be deprived of their payments.
The meeting, therefore passed three resolutions including withdrawal of notification regarding embargo of 70% expenditure of funds by 31-12-2021, and extending the date for 100% expenditure up to March 31 so that 100 per cent funds will be utilized.
The meeting expressed gratitude to PM Narendra Modi and Highways Minister, Nitin Gadkari for announcing two NHs for Kathua district.
In another resolution, the DDC Chairman assured that Kathua District will be developed as a major tourist destination, the Council passed resolution suggesting projects for district Kathua and demanded that the list suggested be included in tourism master plan for futuristic development.
Col Mahan also directed for 100 percent utilization for allotted funds under CAPEX.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
