CM Directs Officers to Consult MLA's Before Finalising DPR's

Shimla, Jan. 20 – Top most priority must be given to the MLA priorities as they are the elected representatives and have the best knowledge of the developmental needs and aspirations of the people of their respective areas. This was stated by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while presiding over the review meeting of the Planning department here today.
The Chief Minister said that it had been felt that the MLA priorities got delayed as detailed project reports were not prepared in time by the respective departments. The MLAs must be taken into confidence while finalizing the DPRs and they may also be apprised regarding the cause of the delay in the DPRs so that the same could be rectified. He said that regular meetings must be held at the district level regarding planning with the active involvement of MLAs.
He directed the Deputy Commissioners to think out of the box and at least start one unique scheme in their respective district. He said that the corona pandemic had caught the entire world unprepared, thus the Deputy Commissioners must come with some suggestions which could be included in the budget for the next financial year. He said that an effective monitoring mechanism must also be ensured for time-bound completion of all the projects being implemented in the State. Special emphasis must be laid on FCA and FRA clearances as several major projects got delayed due to this. He said that accountability must be fixed to check the delay in the execution of developmental projects.
Jai Ram Thakur said that 114 projects worth Rs. 500 crore had been approved under RIDF-XXVI in Public Works Department whereas 137 projects having an investment of Rs. 300 crore had been approved under Jal Shakti Vibhag. He said that the phasing period for these projects was from 2020-21 to 2023-24. He said that the topmost priority must be accorded for the time-bound preparation of DPRs under NABARD.
The Chief Minister said that Planning department must ensure that total plan outlays were apportioned into the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan and Tribal Sub Plan in a fixed proportion. He said that implementation and monitoring must be done by the concerned departments along-with impact assessment.
Jai Ram Thakur said that implementation of the Chief Minister’s announcements and budget assurances must be accorded topmost priority. The state government had enhanced the per Assembly constituency limit for posing DPRs to the NABARD and other funding agencies to Rs. 120 crore whereas allocation under Vidhayak Kshetra Vikas Nidhi Yojna had been enhanced to Rs. 1.75 crore.
Chief Secretary Anil Khachi said that an effective mechanism would be evolved to ensure time-bound preparation of DPRs. The monitoring mechanism would also be strengthened to give a boost to the pace of development. He said that year-long activities must be planned to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Statehood.