Dy CM reviews progress on water supply projects in Nowshera Constituency

• Assesses status of pending cases of I&C, G&M, PWD, L&E

JAMMU: Aiming smooth water supply in Nowshera Constituency in ensuing summer season, Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Kumar Choudhary, who is also the local MLA, today reviewed functioning of Jal Shakti department besides assessing progress on works being executed under JJM, NABARD and UT Capex during a meeting held here in this regard.

The Chief Engineer, Jal Shakti, apprised that there are total 70 schemes functioning in the constituency including 51 under Jal Jeevan Mission, 18 under Languishing/UT Capex and one under NABARD to overcome the water crisis in Nowshera. It was also informed in the meeting, that out of 18 schemes under UT capex, 11 have been completed while 7 are under process. Similarly, 75 percent of the work has been completed on the only scheme under NABARD.

Regarding the financial status of 51 schemes under JJM, the concerned official apprised that out of Rs 358.59 crore estimated cost an expenditure of Rs. 212.77 crore has been achieved on procurement of material and development of infrastructure. He said that remaining work on most of the schemes shall be completed soon and will be commissioned in next month.  It was further informed that there are three schemes of irrigation sector, one of flood control under NABARD in which two DPRs of Irrigation sector are under process and one DPR of Flood control has been submitted.

The Dy CM, after taking scheme wise review of all sectors, instructed the officers to strictly adhere to quality parameters and complete the projects within the stipulated timeframe. Choudhary emphasized that the only priority should be maintaining regular supply of water in view of ensuing summer season. He asked all the departments including Jal Shakti, Irrigation and Flood Control, JPDCL, Ground Water to work in synergy providing maximum relief to the people.

The Deputy Chief Minister asked to expedite pace of progress on various developmental initiatives, focusing on timely commissioning of schemes. He also stressed upon them to ensure that public service deliverance mechanism shall be speeded up so that the people do not face any inconvenience. He said that measures are underway to further improve and upgrade the existing infrastructure of PHE and PDD departments.

Later, the Deputy Chief Minister chaired a meeting to review the legal cases of Industries and Commerce, Geology and Mining, Public Welfare Works and Labour and Employment departments pending in the High Court and CAT.

The Senior Law Officer apprised the Dy CM that a total of 1083 cases of I&C are pending, of which, objections have been filed in 946 cases while out of 321 cases of G&M pending in court, objections have been filed in 58 cases. It was also informed that there are around 2200 cases of PWD pending in the Court which are mainly pertaining to land acquisition, services matter and contractual liabilities among others.

The Dy CM asked the law officers to focus on disposal of cases in favour of their respective departments. He exhorted that all the cases should be dealt with sincerity to enhance the disposal rate.