Kapur reviews PM’s Reconstruction Plan

Executing agencies asked to intensify efforts to show results on ground  
Chief Secretary Mr. S. S. Kapur today reviewed the progress of implementation of Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan (PMRP) during which he asked the implementing agencies to intensify efforts so that benefits of these schemes penetrate grassroots level. He said more attention is required to address health, communication and educational sectors, which are the basic indices of improved living standard of people, especially of those in rural areas.  
The Chief Secretary chaired a high-level meeting on PMRP at SKICC, here today, also attended by a Central team which included Secretary, Border Management, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Mr. Vinay Kumar and Joint Secretary, Border Management, MHA, Mr. K. Skandan.
The meeting was also attended by Financial Commissioner, Planning and Development, Mr. S. L. Bhat, Financial Commissioner, Home, Mr. Samuel Verghese, Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Mr. Anil Goswami, Principal Secretary, Information Technology, Dr. Arun Kumar and Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production, Mrs. Sonali Kumar, besides Administrative Secretaries of various other departments.
Praising the Centre for its liberal funding under PMRP, the Chief Secretary said time has come so that flagship programmes of the Central government started bearing fruit on ground. Making a specific reference to PMRP, he said once the ongoing projects under the scheme are completed, the distances within the State’s boundaries will be reduced and far-flung and remote areas of the State will be connected through roads and communication networks with the urban centres.
Mr. Kapur asked the Administrative Secretaries to personally monitor the pace of ongoing works so that the projects are completed within the stipulated timeframe. Taking stock of sector-wise progress made under PMRP, the Chief Secretary said utilization of funds should show physical appearance. "Embarking on any prestigious plan is aimed at providing benefits to common man and strengthening State's economy. Our effort should be to ensure these benefits reach people on time", he added.
The Chief Secretary called for dovetailing the works wherever feasible so that an integrated approach is put in place for successful implementation of the development programmes.
Mr. Kapur asked officers to remain in touch with Central ministries and ensure that flow of funds is regular and progress of works is not hampered because of procedural delays. 
PMRP has been revised to Rs. 30,867.71 crore, out of which 2,287.33 crore have been expended under Central sector and Rs. 2,786.01 crore under State sector. The schemes under both the sectors are being implemented by the State agencies. So far, Rs.5,763.30 crore have been spent on the PMRP projects in the State.  
Under State-sector projects, Rs. 2,052 crore have been spent on power projects, Rs. 250 crore on land acquisition for PMRP roads, Rs. 134.15 crore for model villages, Rs. 80 crore for infrastructure development of LAHDCs and Rs. 43.78 crore for newly-created colleges.  
Under National Rural Health Mission, Rs.144.96 crore have been spent so far while as another Rs. 164.85 crore have been utilized for electrification of villages across the State. 
Under the Central sector executed by State agencies, work on Batote-Kishtwar Road, Srinagar-Uri Road, double-lanning of Srinagar-Leh Road and Neemu-Padam-Darcha Road is currently on and so far Rs.2,287.33 crore have been spent. 
Under the Central projects executed by Central agencies, about Rs.738.56 crore have been spent on Uri Hydro-electric Project II, Rs. 261.37 crore on Neemu-Bazgo Project and Rs.225.36 crore on Chhutak Hydro-electric Project.
It was given out in the meeting that Rs.120 crore has also been spent on Dal conservation project. 
In his closing remarks, Mr. Kapur said there was an opportunity for the State to take advantage of additional Central assistance and asked the executing agencies to move in that direction.