‘Accelerate CSSs implementation, UCs submission’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 6: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has directed the Jal Shakti Department (JSD) to focus in increasing consumer base and the Power Development Department (PDD) to expedite loss reduction works and meet power revenue targets committed with the Union Finance Ministry.
He gave these directions at a recent meeting of the Administrative Secretaries to review progress of budget 2023-24 with special focus on Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSSs).
As per detailed note of the meeting, Sinha asked the Jal Shakti Department to focus on increasing their consumer base, billing of all new consumers and timely collection of revenue.
He called upon the Power Development Department to complete smart metering works, expedite loss reduction works and meet power revenue targets committed with the Union Ministry of Finance.
“The Departments should improve collection of user charges from the consumers especially water charges, mining and traffic violations. They should also focus on the Centrally Sponsored Schemes as the UT has favourable sharing pattern. All Secretaries and HoDs should accelerate CSS implementation and submission of Utilization Certificates (UCs),’” the Lieutenant Governor directed.
He directed for ensuring increased harnessing of CSSs by close monitoring by the Administrative Secretaries/ HoDs, strong follow up with the Central Ministries and timely release of the Central and UT shares.
“As the UT Departments have SNA balance of over Rs 3000 crore in various SNA accounts of CSSs, these should be utilized and invested expeditiously since the Central Government will switch over to new SPARSH System in 2024-25,’” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He directed the Health Secretary to analyze the coverage of patients under PM Sehat Scheme in Government Hospitals and take measures for improving the percentage of IPDs in the hospitals availing benefit under the scheme to the extent of 90-95 percent.
The Universities, Colleges and higher educational institutions under Higher Education and Agriculture Production Departments should be incentivized to seek grants/funding from different Central agencies like CSIR, UGC, ICAR, DST and other such institutions, the Lieutenant Governor said and called upon the Varsities to develop robust monitoring system to ensure judicious utilization of UT grants, internal resources and availing external grants from different Central agencies.
Sinha directed the Secretary DMRRR to visit all sites of transit accommodations for fast tracking their completion without any delay.
“All the Administrative Secretaries should review working of their Departments so that better amenities are provided to people. They should be alert about the feedback from print and social media for taking corrective actions,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor called upon the Secretaries of all the Departments to ensure that all bonafide outstanding payments which are yet to be made against work done/services provided and meeting all norms, must be defrayed at the earlier.
“The general tendency of officers not to entertain such due payments which relate to the period of their predecessors must be avoided and expeditious action taken under norms,” he directed.
The Principal Secretary, Finance Department mentioned about increase in revenue realization during the year 2023-24 and gave financial progress of revenue and capital expenditure.
Revenue was up in most of the Departments till January this year as compared to previous years.
“The increased tax revenue, constrained revenue expenditure and the Central support have created space for higher capital expenditure,” the Principal Secretary Finance noted.
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