Secretary RDD Issues Strict Directives for Swift Project Completion
JAMMU: Secretary, Rural Development Department (RDD) & Panchayati Raj, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, today chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the physical and financial progress of projects under UT-CAPEX, SASCI (Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment), 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; Directors RDD Kashmir and Jammu, Shabir Hussain Bhat and Shahnaz Akhtar respectively; Director Finance Umar Khan; Joint Director Planning Kamal Kumar Sharma; Additional Secretary Waseem Raja; along with all ACDs, ACPs, Executive Engineers, and BDOs of various districts.
During the review of SASCI, it was noted that Rs 21.10 crore in loan assistance has been sanctioned for RDD projects. The Secretary highlighted Finance Department directives requiring 75% utilization of sanctioned funds by December and the surrender of non-viable projects for reallocation. Departments must demonstrate the capacity to spend at least Rs 2 crore within the financial year, failing which funds may be withdrawn.
Regarding UT-CAPEX works, Aijaz Asad directed that project execution be accelerated. He instructed Executive Engineers to personally visit construction sites, inspect each building and asset, and ensure completion within stipulated timelines. He emphasized that in Kashmir, where development slows during winter, the pace of work must be doubled to meet targets on time.
For SNA-Sparsh, the Secretary instructed scheme heads to complete all post-sanction processes, including integration, FTO generation, and DSC enrollment, to prevent implementation bottlenecks.
Reviewing progress under SBM-Gramin, Aijaz Asad stressed the timely execution of Gobardhan Plants, Faecal Sludge Treatment Plants (FSTPs), and Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Plants (DEWATs). He directed that DPRs, feasibility studies, and tendering for remaining Gobardhan projects be completed promptly so that all plants are operational within two months. He added that these projects will be monitored weekly.
Highlighting best practices, the Secretary noted that several J&K districts are already operating such plants successfully and urged ACPs and BDOs from other districts to undertake exposure visits. On FSTPs, he emphasized that Deputy Commissioners, as Chairpersons of Sanitation Committees, must intervene directly to resolve execution issues and promote public awareness on the importance of sanitation projects.
He also stressed the timely completion of DEWATs and instructed that restoration of assets damaged during recent floods be included in project planning. Strict directions were issued to ACPs that any delays in project completion will attract disciplinary action.
