CM Omar flags slow progress of tendering, calls for timely execution of projects

Srinagar, Aug 20: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a high-level meeting to review the progress of financial inclusion schemes, social security coverage, district capex and progress of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) works programme. Chief Minister also reviewed the GST collection-tax - tax and non-tax revenue for the current financial year.

The meeting was attended by the Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, the Additional Chief Secretary to the CM, Dheeraj Gupta, all Administrative Secretaries, Deputy Commissioners of all districts, and other concerned parties, both in person and through virtual mode.

Principal Secretary Finance, Santosh D. Vaidya, gave a detailed presentation on the financial and social inclusion schemes, revenue generation trends and district-wise progress under capex and CDF works.

The Chief Minister noted the tardy pace in uploading & tendering of works and issued directions to all departments and districts to focus on revenue realization & social inclusion schemes and monitor progress on a monthly basis rather than leaving corrective measures to the last quarter of the financial year.

“Departments must not wait for February and March to chase revenue targets. Each department will receive specific communication from the Finance Department flagging their areas of concern and giving a six-month revenue target breakdown. They should start working on improving revenue realisation today, with a clear monthly plan,” the Chief Minister stressed.

He further directed that Deputy Commissioners will be given district-specific instructions from the Finance Department, particularly regarding the coverage of social welfare schemes such as PM Jan Dhan Yojana, PM Suraksha Bima Yojana, PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana, Integrated Social Security Scheme, widow, old-age and disability pensions. He called DCs to find out reasons for drop in enrollment of account holders under PMJDY and other schemes. “We will conduct another review of social welfare schemes after three months, and I expect to see a significant improvement in coverage at the district level,” Omar Abdullah said.

CM called for expediting finalisation of works plans under the CDF and to upload the work on BEAMS portal. He gave instructions that MLAs be informed about the works included in the UT & District Capex plans, which were prioritized by the MLAs during pre-budget meetings and to intimate them about works which were found unviable.

The Chief Minister cautioned that delays in revenue mobilisation could force the government into difficult decisions such as imposing cuts in departmental expenditure. “If departments do not want to find themselves in a position where expenditure is curtailed, they must focus as far as possible on improving revenue realisation. The responsibility lies with each department to ensure timely progress,” he emphasised.

During the meeting, it was noted that while social security schemes have shown impressive growth in recent years, with PMJDY account holders crossing 23 lakh, PMSBY enrollments touching 23.8 lakh account holders, and PMJJBY covering nearly 9.83 lakh individuals.