AJK, PM orders immediate installation of 10,000 electricity meters

MIRPUR: AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan Tuesday assigned the task to Secretary Electricity AJK for the provision and installation of 10,000 meters to the consumers at the earliest and directed for compliance report by March 15, 2018.

Haider directed all the government functionaries to improve commitment with the respective tasks and undertake the assigned roles and responsibilities in the prudent manner.

Addressing the review meeting on development projects, the PM urged all the Ministers and Secretaries to upgrade departmental reviews and monitoring mechanism to ensure effective, efficient and full utilization of development budget.

The Prime Minister directed that timely utilization of released funds must be ensured by the Line Departments otherwise no excuse would be accepted in this regard.

The Prime Minister directed to hold another review meeting in March to evaluate that development spending is back on track.

In the meeting decision was taken that Communication & Works (C&W) Department will ensure 100% utilization of released funds by the end of 3rd quarter.

The proposal for required re-adjustment/re-appropriation in allocation and release within districts would be finalized by C&W department within 2 days and the same would be submitted to P&DD for seeking approval from the Cabinet.

C&W department would prepare a plan for absorption of expected additional funds over and above the allocation of the C&W sector for the C.F.Y.

The forum asserted that salaries’ issue of Medical Colleges Muzaffarabad & Mirpur should be resolved by formulating strategy, keeping in view the revenue generation of Medical Colleges and shifting of staff on recurring budget from July 2018 onwards.

The prime minister expressed concerns over delay in accomplishment of the civil works of Medical College Muzaffarabad and directed to accelerate the activities for timely completion of the project.

He also insisted that PD of the project of Water Supply & Sewerage Scheme Mirpur City and other villages would be appointed on merit, adding the departments of Information Technology, Social Welfare, Women Development, Civil Defense, Development Authorities and Local Government and Rural Development to gear up the development activities to ensure 100% utilization of released funds.

The forum expressed concern over low utilization and directed to Secretary E&S Education to fully utilize the 3rd quarter release up to 31st March, 2018 to secure releases for 4th quarter.

The Chief Secretary AJ&K directed that District Heads of Education and PP&H department, should monitor the projects to ensure desired level monitoring of constructional works in Education Sector.

The forum appreciated the efforts of Forest Department and directed to ensure 100% utilization of released funds within stipulated timeframe.

The senior Minister pointed out that as reflected in the briefing, southern districts of AJK are currently less focused for the forestry related activities.

He advised that a comprehensive reforestation and soil conservation program may be launched for these areas at the earliest.

In the meeting the utilization of funds against releases was found unsatisfactory. The chair directed the Secretary Industries to submit the report regarding utilization status within 15 days.

The chair directed Environment, Foreign funded projects and Rehabilitation and Resettlement to gear up the development activities to fully utilize the released amount.