Slow progress in capital expenditure till July
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 24 Jul: Chief Secretary (CS) Anand Bardhan today chaired an extensive review meeting at the Secretariat, focusing on capital expenditure, centrally sponsored schemes (CSS), externally aided projects, NABARD-supported initiatives, as well as the monitoring of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Key Outcome Indicators (KOIs).
The review covered 12 departments during which Bardhan insisted that although a total provision of Rs 14,763 crores had been earmarked for capital expenditure, only Rs 2,215 crores (15 per cent) has been released so far, with an actual expenditure of just Rs 1,049 crores (7.11 per cent). Expressing concern over the sluggish pace, he issued firm instructions for accelerating the utilisation of allocated funds.
The CS directed the departments to ensure that at least 50 per cent of the capital budget is utilised by September, with all proposals to be submitted no later than 15 August. Emphasising the significance of timely monitoring to achieve set targets, Bardhan instructed the secretaries and heads of departments to convene fortnightly meetings. He underscored the need to prioritise schemes announced by the CM under the capital expenditure framework and directed that KPIs and KOIs be closely tracked to ensure not just financial spending but measurable outcomes. He cited examples such as tracking the percentage increase in foreign tourist arrivals and the average duration of stay across visitor segments as tangible impacts of tourism-related expenditure.
The horticulture department was directed to build greater capacity for cold chain infrastructure and off-season cultivation. The CS also directed the horticulture officials to scale up polyhouse projects with emphasis on food processing and value-addition. Instructions were issued to the agriculture department to promptly develop guidelines for bio-fencing and chain-link fencing, and to establish a separate budget head carrying a provision of Rs 200 crores to be included in the supplementary budget of the current fiscal year. The CS further asked the election committee to prioritise the project proposals from areas most affected by crop damage and human-wildlife conflict.
During the meeting, the milk development department was directed to ramp up production of Aanchal dairy products, while the sugarcane development department was asked to undertake inspection of sugar mills, complete machinery repair and maintenance on time, and ensure early commencement of operations. Bardhan reiterated that outcome-driven governance required both structural planning and timely execution.
Among those present at the meeting included Principal Secretary RK Sudhanshu, Secretaries Radhika Jha, Dileep Jawalkar, Dr BVRC Purushottam, V Shanmugam, Dheeraj Garbyal and Sridhar Babu Addanki, along with Additional Secretaries Himanshu Khurana, Manmohan Mainali and other senior officials.
