Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 18: Settling a long standing demand of the people affected by the construction of 850 mw Ratle Hydro Electric Project Kishtwar, the Administrative Council of J&K UT has accorded sanction to implementation of revised Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) Plan for the project for an estimated cost of Rs 120.3216 crore.
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The sanction to the plan was granted by the Administrative Council in its meeting recently held on August 16. Out of the revised cost as per R&R package 2024, Rs 20.8716 crore have been approved for R&R Plan, Rs 69.45 crore for Local Area Development Plan (LADP) including Rs 30 crore for Skill Development activities and Rs 30 crore for CSR activities.
Under original plan as per R&R package of 2013, Rs 110 crore was approved which included Rs 20 core for R&R, Rs 60 crore for LADP including Rs 30 crore for Skill Development activities and Rs 30 crore of CSR activities.
The Department of Disaster Management, Relief , Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DMRRR) UT Government in its communiqué has urged the District Development Commissioner, Kishtwar/ Corporation to focus on slope stabilization , greening of catchment area, checking air pollution due to construction, low cast greening and plantation while operationalizing R&R package.
It has also made binding on concerned departments that the work should be executed within the approved cost , strictly as per norms and no escalation in the cost shall be admissible under any circumstances.
The officers were also asked that definite timelines be set for completion of the project and the project be completed without cost or time over run. The concerned organisations have been also directed that all Codal formalities including provisions of GFR and works manual are strictly adhered to during execution of the Project. Moreover, the Corporation was asked to ensure availability of funds out of approved / earmarked resources.
The DMRRR has also made it binding for the concerned departments and organizations that the funds released shall be utilized only for the purpose specified after observing all prerequisite formalities/ procedures as per GFR and shall not be available for further re-appropriation/diversion at any level and for any reason whatsoever. Further the execution of works shall be taken up strictly for the approved activities only within the approved cost and no extra liability shall be created to ensure cost optimization and financial discipline, the order further read.
The DMRRR has further urged the Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar/ Corporation to obtain NOCs from concerned departments / agencies as applicable and the Monitoring Committee has been issued directives to monitor physical/financial progress on regular basis.
It may be recalled that the people whose land had come into the project were running from pillar to post for the implementation of R&R plan for a decade.
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