Secy RDD reviews progress on SASCI, UT CAPEX, SBM-G, issues strict directives for speedy completion of projects

JAMMU: Secretary, Rural Development department (RDD) & Panchayati Raj, Mohammad Aijaz Asad today chaired a meeting to review the physical and financial progress under UT- CAPEX, Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), SNA-Sparsh and Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin).

The meeting was attended by DG Rural Sanitation, Anu Malhotra; Mission Director NRLM, Shubhra Sharma; Director Panchayati Raj, Sham Lal; Director RDD Kashmir, Shabir Hussain Bhat; Director RDD Jammu, Shahnaz Akhtar; Director Finance, Umar Khan; Joint Director Planning, Kamal Kumar Sharma; Additional Secretary, Waseem Raja, besides all ACDs, ACPs, Executive Engineers, and BDOs of various districts.

While reviewing SASCI, it was revealed that loan assistance of Rs 21.10 crores has been sanctioned for RDD projects. The Secretary highlighted Finance Department directives mandating utilization of 75% of sanctioned assistance by December and surrender of non-viable projects for reallocation. Departments, he said, must demonstrate capacity to incur at least Rs 2 crore expenditure within the financial year, failing which funds may be withdrawn.

While reviewing UT Capex works, Secretary directed that the pace of execution of works be further accelerated. Aijaz Asad instructed the concerned Executive Engineers to personally visit construction sites, inspect each building and asset, and ensure their completion strictly within the stipulated timelines.

The Secretary emphasized that in the Kashmir division, where developmental activities get slowed down during winter, the pace of work must be doubled to meet targets well in time. With regard to SNA-Sparsh, the Secretary asked the heads of all schemes to complete critical post-sanction processes, including integration, FTO generation, and DSC enrolment, so that the implementation of schemes does not face any bottlenecks.

Reviewing progress under SBM-Gramin, Secretary laid special emphasis on timely execution of Gobardhan Plants, Faecal Sludge Treatment Plants (FSTPs), and Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Plants (DEWATs). He directed the officers that Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), feasibility studies, and tendering processes for the remaining Gobardhan projects be completed expeditiously so that all such plants are operational within the next two months.

He added that these projects are a top priority and will be reviewed on a weekly basis. Secretary observed that many districts of J&K are already running such plants successfully, and stressed the need for ACPs and BDOs of other districts to undertake exposure visits to these functional units for adopting best practices.

Speaking on FSTPs, Aijaz Asad underlined that as Deputy Commissioners are the Chairpersons of Sanitation Committees, any issues related to execution should be resolved through their direct intervention. He also called for awareness programmes to sensitize the public about the significance of these projects and the role they play in ensuring cleanliness and sanitation in rural areas.

Similarly, Secretary stressed the timely completion of DEWATs and instructed that restoration of assets damaged during the recent floods must also be included in the planning process. The Secretary issued strict directions to ACPs that any delay in the timely completion of these projects would invite disciplinary action.