Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 28: Financial Commissioner Finance, Dr.Arun Kumar Mehta today chaired a meeting of the high powered committee to review the performance achieved under NABARD funded projects in Jammu and Kashmir divisions.
Financial Commissioner, H&ME, Atal Dulloo; Commissioner Secretary PHE, AK Sahu; Director Finance, Showkat Hussain Mir, CGM NABARD, P Balachandran; DGM NABARD, Rahul Shashni and representatives from PWD, Animal Husbandry and Agriculture Departments were present in the meeting.
The meeting was informed that Jammu and Kashmir has registered more than 95% achievement in various projects funded by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
On the occasion, Dr. Mehta asked the departments to ensure reimbursement of entire amount of Rs 500 crore by this fiscal. He enquired about the utilisation certificates and work done claims submitted so far from each concerned department.
The Financial Commissioner underscored the need for making performance the only benchmark for efficiency. He stressed that a flexible approach should be adopted so that issues are solved instantly and effectively. He also directed to enhance coordination between the indenting department, intermediary (Finance Department) and funding agency to improve the performance on ground.
It was given out that against the normative allocation of Rs 500 crore for the current fiscal Rs 400.64 crore stand sanctioned for various projects of PWD, PHE and Animal Husbandry, thus registering a cumulative achievement of 95.95%. The meeting discussed that the sanctioned projects include 85 rural roads and bridges, 38 water supply schemes, and 2 projects of Animal Husbandry.
The meeting was further apprised that projects worth Rs 99.08 crore have already been sent for sanctioning to NABARD. These include 5 of Horticulture (Fruit & Vegetable market), 6 for extending the agriculture extension facilities, and 8 for minor irrigation/flood control works.
The meeting also discussed the ways to enhance the capacity of departments to utilise whole sanctioned amounts efficiently. It was said that this would usher the union territory on the path of progress and development as envisioned by the LG’s administration.