CS leads HPC reviews progress of NABARD, RIDF projects in J&K

Srinagar, Oct 12: A meeting of the High Powered Committee (HPC) of NABARD was held here under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, to review the progress and achievements made under the previous Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) programmes and to accord approval for new projects to be taken up under RIDF XXXI (2025-26) across J&K.

The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works (R&B); Principal Secretary, Finance; Secretary, Health & Medical Education; Development Commissioner (Works); Director General, Resources; Chief General Manager, NABARD; and senior officers from Jal Shakti, Agriculture Production, Horticulture, Animal & Sheep Husbandry and other concerned departments.

At the outset, the Chief Secretary took department-wise appraisal of the progress made in the ongoing RIDF projects and emphasized the importance of timely completion of works sanctioned under RIDF XXVI and XXVII, whose timelines have reached their final phase.

He impressed upon all executing agencies to focus on project completion within stipulated deadlines, underscoring that projects nearing completion should receive top priority. He directed departments to secure the remaining tranches of funds from NABARD expeditiously to ensure successful culmination of the ongoing RIDF programmes.

The Chief Secretary further advised departments to propose only feasible projects that can be completed within the given timeframe of the respective RIDF tenure. He cautioned that delays and carryover liabilities not only affect project delivery but also put additional burden on the normal Capex budget of departments.

He also suggested that departments like PWD and Jal Shakti should consider taking up time-intensive projects under other funding programmes, while utilizing NABARD allocations exclusively for projects that can be executed and completed within the set period of the RIDF.

During the meeting, Principal Secretary, Finance, Santosh D. Vaidya, informed that the overall expenditure under RIDF has shown a significant upward trend this year, accompanied by a higher number of completed projects compared to previous years. It was informed that the expenditure target for 2025-26 has been fixed at ₹1,304 crore, aimed at completing all pending projects within their deadlines while maintaining the desired pace of progress in ongoing and newly sanctioned works.

The Chief Secretary also emphasized the importance of timely submission of Project Completion Certificates (PCCs) and Project Completion Reports (PCRs) for completed projects to facilitate the release of additional funds from NABARD and to pave the way for new project approvals.

The Chief Secretary concluded the meeting by reiterating that adherence to timelines, optimal fund utilization, and quality execution must remain the hallmark of all NABARD-funded projects to ensure maximum developmental impact at the grassroots level.