Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Oct 29: Secretary, Rural Development Department and Panchayati Raj, Ramesh Kumar, on Wednesday directed officers to intensify field inspections, expedite pending works and ensure visible improvements in sanitation infrastructure and waste management across Kashmir Division while reviewing the district-wise performance of the Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G).
Chairing a comprehensive review meeting, the Secretary assessed the progress of key sanitation and waste management infrastructure, including Community Sanitary Complexes, Community Compost Pits, Community Soak Pits, Segregation Sheds, Plastic Waste Management Units, Decentralised Wastewater Treatment Systems (DEWATS), Faecal Sludge Treatment Plants (FSTPs) and GOBARdhan biogas plants.
The meeting was attended by Director Finance Umar Khan, Joint Director Planning Kamal Kumar Sharma, Deputy Director Rural Sanitation, Kashmir, Shabir Ahmed Hakak, besides Assistant Commissioners Panchayats and Executive Engineers of Rural Engineering Wing (REW) from across Kashmir Division.
Reviewing district-wise progress, Kumar emphasised that the creation of infrastructure alone was not sufficient, stressing that every asset must be functional, accessible and deliver its intended benefits to rural communities. He called for a shift towards outcome-oriented implementation, stronger monitoring and tangible improvements on the ground.
Taking stock of the status of Community Sanitary Complexes, the Secretary questioned the delays in initiating targeted works, observing that preparatory activities, including identification of suitable land and completion of tendering formalities, should have been undertaken well in advance, as the targets were linked to the financial year.
While officers cited land-related issues and the need to identify alternative sites as major challenges, Kumar stressed that such constraints must be identified and addressed at the planning stage rather than being cited subsequently as reasons for delays.
The Secretary underscored the need for sound financial planning, timely submission of proposals and completion of all prescribed formalities to ensure the effective release and utilisation of funds. He observed that delays in implementation could not be attributed solely to the Government or the availability of funds, emphasising that district-level officers must fulfil their responsibilities by ensuring timely proposals, adherence to procedures and continuous monitoring of works. |
