CM Omar Abdullah reviews progress of development works in Pulwama, lays foundation stone of shopping mall at Pampore
PULWAMA: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the progress of developmental projects and implementation of various government schemes in District Pulwama.
During his first district-level review meeting, the Chief Minister emphasized the need to accelerate project execution and ensure optimum utilization of funds under both the District Capex Budget and Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS). Expressing concern over the low expenditure levels, he directed all departments to expedite works and achieve financial targets within stipulated timelines.
“First of all, I thank the DDC Chairman and MLAs for their valuable inputs. While I have issued several on-spot directions during the review, my main request is — focus on timely execution. There is significant room for improvement,” the Chief Minister said while addressing the officers.
He cautioned that delays in utilizing funds under the newly launched SASCI scheme could lead to withholding of further installments, resulting in a major setback.
Omar Abdullah instructed the Deputy Commissioner to monitor all approved projects closely and ensure immediate corrective measures wherever delays occur. “Please keep reviewing the works regularly. We have resumed the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for MLAs, but a lot more needs to be done in terms of expenditure,” he said.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Ministers Sakina Itoo, Javed Rana, Javid Dar, Satish Sharma, DDC Chairman Abdul Bari Andrabi, MLAs Justice (Retd.) Hasnain Masoodi (Pampore), Ghulam Mohiuddin Mir (Rajpora), Waheed-ur Rehman Para (Pulwama), and Rafiq Ahmad Naik (Tral), besides Additional Chief Secretary to CM Dheeraj Gupta, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, Deputy Commissioner Pulwama Dr. Basharat Qayoom, and heads of departments.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Basharat Qayoom gave a detailed presentation on the physical and financial status of works under the District Capex Budget 2024–25, CSS, CDF, and MPLADS. He also outlined sector-wise achievements and challenges across Public Works (R&B), PMGSY, PMAY(G), Urban Development, School Education, Jal Shakti, Agriculture, Power, Social Welfare, Employment, and other key departments.
Public representatives raised several constituency-specific issues including irrigation, flood mitigation, water scarcity, town beautification, road connectivity, crop insurance, desilting of rivulets, revenue settlement, illegal mining, completion of Rajpora Degree College, and upgradation of health facilities.
The Chief Minister issued on-spot directions for redressal of these issues and directed the administration to act firmly against illegal mining. “If there are complaints, immediate action must follow. Strict enforcement is essential to stop such activities,” he asserted.
Taking note of the lack of toilet facilities in some schools, particularly for girls, Omar Abdullah urged MLAs to allocate funds from their CDFs to address this issue, stressing that the absence of basic amenities leads to higher dropout rates among female students.
He called upon all departments to speed up project implementation and ensure timely completion for maximum public benefit.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone of a new Shopping Complex at Pampore through virtual mode.
