Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, May 1: The State Government today announced major powers for newly constituted Planning, Development and Monitoring Department (PD & MD), which will replace Planning and Development Department with five divisions and authorization to finalize capital budget allocations, release of funds related to Capital Expenditure Budget and mid course review of expenditure.
Principal Secretary, Planning and Development Department, B B Vyas, who was also likely to be re-designated following reorientation of the Department has issued detailed set of guidelines and powers the PD&MD will have on the instructions of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who holds charge of the Planning Department.
Official sources told the Excelsior that PD&MD will have five divisions including Development Strategy Division, Project Formulation Division, Area Planning Section, Project Monitoring and Evaluation Division and Coordination Division.
“The PD&MD has been authorize to finalize capital budget allocation based on discussions with the line departments, allocation/release of funds related to the Capital Expenditure Budget and mid course review of expenditure. It will implement all announcements and commitments made by the Chief Minister,’’ they said.
The new Department will work out comprehensive long term development strategy and take steps to address development challenges and concerns in the medium and short term requirements. It will finalize comprehensive Public Expenditure Policy and documentation of best practices including knowledge sharing and dissemination.
Sources said finalization of allocations in respect of annual District Capex Budget and release of funds related to the Capital Expenditure Budget will also be the prerogative of the PD&MD, which will be headed by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti herself.
The PD&MD will conduct meetings of the District Development Boards (DDBs) and implement decisions taken in the Board meetings, sources said, adding that formulation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of projects worth more than Rs 10 crores will also be the prerogative of the PD&MD.
“Coordination for time bound completion of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) and mega flagship programmes, Capacity building efforts including comprehensive plan and strategies for upgradation of available human resources and initiatives for institution building and revival will also be looked after by the PD&MD,’’ sources said.
The PD&MD has also been empowered with empanelment of Consultants for preparation of Detailed Project Reports in respect of projects related to various sectors. It has also been authorized with standardization of type designs and building specifications by way of specifying norms and working out templates.
Dealing with cost escalations, road map for meeting liabilities, Programme Evaluation, direct project monitoring (mega projects) on regular basis and oversight and monitoring of projects above Rs 10 crores would also fall in the domain of PD&MD.
“Nodal point (support) to the Chief Secretary on all issues related to prestigious projects related to Railways, development of National Highways, IT networks, gas pipelines etc, provision of feedback to the line departments and ensuring mid course correction, wherever required, will also be done by the PD&MD,’’ sources said.
Other significant powers authorized to the PD&MD included back stopping support on PRAGATI.
Sources said the Directorate of Economics and Statistics shall continue to operate as per existing mandate, structure and functions even after the reorientation of Planning and Development Department and constitutions of the PD&MD.
The Government, sources added, will come out with precise structure of reoriented entity, particularly the functional organizational structure of the PD&MD shortly.
According to sources, the newly constituted PD&MD will go long way in addressing developmental needs of the State and give impetus to the development works—both undertaken in hands by the State Government and Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
The Department will maintain regular contact with the Central agencies executing various development works in the State like rail projects and National Highways.
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