Chief Secretary reviews issues of public importance

Impresses upon DCs to give renewed push to the timely execution of development works and reducing use of single use plastic

SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER, 17: Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam today chaired a video conference with Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh divisions to review the preparations for upcoming Block Development Council (BDC) elections, implementation of Back to Village programme, availability of essential commodities, winter stocking and the status of major developmental projects and Apple procurement etc.
Chief Secretary asked DCs to gear up for the upcoming BDC elections for which preparatory work has already begun and the necessary notification relating to the schedule of the elections will be issued shortly. He said the process of holding the BDC elections will be completed by the end of October, 2019.
Chief Secretary stressed on the DCs to make efficient use of the grants of Rs 5 Crore released for each District for implementation of the Back to Village Programme. This is over and above the Rs 800 Crore made available to the Panchayats under the 14th Finance Commission Grants.
Chief Secretary asked DCs to hold atleast one Gram Sabha in every Panchayat by 30th September, 2019 and generate awareness about the single use plastic campaign, designation of separate place for collection of plastic waste in each village/Panchayat and Shramdhan for collection of plastic waste on 2nd October, 2019. The DCs of Jammu Division will hold a Gram Sabha on 23rd September, 2019.
Emphasizing on giving renewed push to the development works particularly those in the PW(R&B), PHE and the PDD sector, Chief Secretary asked DCs to monitor the execution of works including PMGSY projects to ensure their time bound completion. “Funds should not be a constraint as adequate funds have been released for the purpose. What is required is speeding up the expenditure for tangible outcomes” he added. Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh were directed to monitor and review the progress of execution/implementation of the projects with the concerned Chief Engineers. He asked Divisional Commissioner, Jammu to review the availability of construction material in Jammu Division with the concerned DCs.
As the Finance Department has begun the budgeting process for the year 2020-21, DCs were asked to ensure that the District Budget is prepared diligently well in time with focus on core activities that lead to tangible outcomes and uploaded online through the Budget Estimation, Allocation and Monitoring System (BEAMS). DCs were also asked to speed up expenditure against the District Plan-2019-20.
Chief Secretary asked Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh to review the availability of state land in each district which could be developed as Land Bank for setting up of Industrial Estates in the districts and for other big ticket projects like Medi- Cities etc. The DCs will complete the identification of land for the purpose, by the end of September, 2019. Directions were also issued to DCs of Bandipora and Ramban districts to identify suitable land for setting up of Degree Colleges and to DCs of Baramulla, Udhampur, Rajouri, Ramban and Pulwama districts to identify suitable land for establishment of Police Stations for Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
DCs were asked to submit proposals under the Digital Villages Programme, the Model Tribal Village Programme and also under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK). PMJVK aims to address development deficits in the identified minority concentration areas. It was informed that all 22 districts of J&K have been declared as minority concentration districts and brought under the ambit of PMJVK. These 22 districts will be provided average financial assistance to the tune of Rs 8 crore annually per district to address any developmental deficit. Divisional Commissioner, Jammu was asked to review the progress of PM KISAN.
Chief Secretary asked DCs to start immediately issuing the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) certificates to the eligible beneficiaries so that they can avail the benefits under the EWS category including admissions in the Medical Colleges under the MBBS/BDS quota for the year 2019-20. DCs can also organize special camps for the purpose in Panchayats.
Chief Secretary reviewed the supply position of essential commodities and winter stocking in Kashmir, Jammu and the Ladakh regions and directed Divisional and District Administration to ensure maintenance of the essential supplies for the consumers. He directed Divisional Commissioner, Ladakh to immediately review the position of essential commodities and winter stocking with DC Leh, DC Kargil and the concerned officers and ensure that Ladakh region is well prepared for the ensuing winter season. Divisional Commissioner, Ladakh was directed to make all preparations required for smooth transition of Ladakh as Union Territory. Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir briefed the Chief Secretary about the availability of essential commodities including Medicine in Kashmir Division. Chief Secretary directed DCs to intensify market checking to regulate the prices of commodities.
DC Ramban was directed to regularly review and monitor the status of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and take all necessary measures in advance to ensure against disruption in the traffic movement during winter months particularly in the vulnerable stretches. PDD was asked to make advance preparations with regard to power supply during the winter months and earmarking of transformer banks for replacement of damaged transformers.
Chief Secretary also reviewed the status of Apple procurement under the ‘Market Intervention Price Scheme’ (MIPS) for the current harvesting season. He directed the DCs of adjoining districts to extend all possible assistance to the apple growers for smooth collection and transportation of their produce to the Mandis at Sopore, Parimpora, Shopian and Batengo.
DCs raised various issues of public importance during their briefing. Chief Secretary assured the DCs that the issues raised will be looked into expeditiously.