Srinagar, July 29: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the High Powered Committee (HPC) to review the progress of projects being implemented under various tranches of the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) with financial assistance from NABARD, directing departments to accelerate execution and ensure timely completion of all ongoing works across Jammu and Kashmir.
According to officials, the meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department; Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works (R&B); Additional Chief Secretary, Finance; Director General, Resources; Chief General Manager, NABARD; and senior officers from the Health, Jal Shakti and other concerned departments.
The Chief Secretary instructed all executing departments to maintain a ready shelf of projects with Administrative Approval and Technical Sanction already in place so that proposals can be submitted to NABARD immediately after the opening of new RIDF tranches or receipt of sanctions, ensuring faster appraisal, approval and commencement of works.
Emphasising the significance of RIDF, Dulloo said the fund has emerged as one of the most important institutional financing mechanisms for strengthening rural infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir. He noted that successful implementation of RIDF projects is crucial for improving rural road connectivity, irrigation, agricultural productivity, drinking water supply, horticulture, fisheries and other essential public services.
He also directed departments to closely monitor both physical and financial progress of every project, conduct regular field inspections, strengthen inter-departmental coordination and strictly adhere to NABARD guidelines. The executing agencies were asked to maintain the highest standards of quality, transparency and accountability during implementation.
Additional Chief Secretary, Finance, Shailendra Kumar stressed the need for regular monitoring at all administrative levels to ensure that the benefits of RIDF investments reach the intended beneficiaries without delay. He also proposed the constitution of district-level monitoring committees under the respective Deputy Commissioners for time-bound execution of projects.
During the meeting, the Chief General Manager, NABARD informed the committee that 908 projects sanctioned under RIDF Tranches XXVIII to XXXI involve a cumulative loan assistance of ₹4,303.08 crore, out of which ₹2,301.48 crore has already been disbursed. Of the sanctioned projects, 157 have been completed, while 751 projects are currently under execution.
The department-wise review revealed that the Public Works Department (PWD) accounts for the largest share with 660 projects involving ₹2,987.25 crore, followed by the Jal Shakti Department with 36 projects worth ₹491.93 crore, Agriculture Production Department with 110 projects involving ₹414.27 crore, Horticulture Department with 19 projects worth ₹104.52 crore, Animal/Sheep Husbandry & Fisheries Department with 63 projects amounting to ₹190.14 crore, and Health & Medical Education Department with 20 projects involving ₹114.97 crore.
Officials further informed the committee that 193 Scheme Monitoring Proformas (SMPs) are currently under monitoring to ensure effective implementation of RIDF-funded projects.
The meeting concluded with a detailed review of department-wise progress, identification of key issues requiring immediate intervention and directions to all departments to ensure timely completion of ongoing RIDF projects across the Union Territory.(KNC)
