The progress in various developmental projects must be uploaded immediately in the Him Pragati portal so that they could be monitored at the highest level regularly and unnecessary delay in execution could be avoided. This was stated by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while presiding over the meeting to review the progress of major projects being executed in the State.
Chief Minister said that the officers must ensure time-bound completion of all major projects in the State. He said that almost one year has been wasted due to corona pandemic, thus the works must be executed with greater vigour to meet the deadlines. He said that greater thrust must be laid on projects nearing completion so that they could be completed at the earliest. This would not only check price escalation in the cost of projects, but also provide benefits to people of the State, he added.
Jai Ram Thakur said that MoUs signed regarding various projects must be followed up proactively so that they could be executed at the earliest. He said that MOUs signed in respect of Agriculture, Education, Housing, Industries etc. must be expatiated and steps taken to provide them required forest and other clearances. He said that special thrust must be laid on those projects, which were more viable and developers were willing to complete the same at the earliest. He said that appropriate sites must be identified for dumping of muck so that the executers do not face inconvenience. He said that the entrepreneurs must be provided all the clearances within stipulated time period so that they could start their projects immediately.
Chief Minister said that separate meeting with the investors who have signed MoUs for execution of various projects in the State must be held so that their issues must be resolved at the earliest. He said that this would provide the investors an opportunity to put forth their issues before the Government. He said that this would help in prompt redressal of their grievances and give thrust to the ongoing projects.
Jai Ram Thakur said that unnecessary delay in ongoing projects would be viewed seriously and responsibility would be fixed. He said that responsibility must not be shifted to another officer. He said that the Covid pandemic has adversely affected the development in the State. He said that since now the situation seems to be under control, steps must be initiated to make up for the time loss. He said that the Global Investor Meet held on 7th and 8th November, 2019 has attracted MoUs worth about Rs. 96000 crore. He said that ground breaking ceremony in respect of projects worth Rs. 13500 crore was signed within two months of the Global Investor’s Meet and projects worth Rs. 10 thousand crore were ready for ground breaking. He directed the officers to follow up the MoUs signed in different sectors so that they could be materialized.
Chief Minister said that special priority must be laid on Chief Minister’s announcements. He said that all initial works such as estimates and drawings regarding the Chief Minister announcements must be implemented within one month. He said that the State was celebrating 50 years of its statehood, thus officers must come with suggestions to celebrate the event in a befitting manner. He said the Government was planning to organize 51 events to mark the glorious Golden jubilee journey of the state.
Jai Ram Thakur said that all the Deputy Commissioners must also evolve a mechanism to monitor ongoing projects in their respective district. He said that usually several ambitious projects were hanging in fire due to minor issues which could be resolved with their intervention. He said that delay in projects would be viewed seriously and action would be taken against the person responsible for the delay.
Chief Minister said that ambitious projects such as AIIMs Bilaspur, Government Medical College at Nahan, Hamirpur, Chamba and super specialty block of IGMC Shimla should be completed within the time period. He said that proper follow up of externally aided projects such as 800 crore Improvement of Forest Eco System Management and Livelihood, Rs. 679 crore ADB funded Tranche-II Clean Energy Transmission Investment Programme, Rs. 956 crore ADB funded tranche- III of the similar project, Rs. 650 crore ADB funded HP Skilled Development Project, Rs. 280 crore World Bank Funded Shimla Water Supply and Sewerage project and Rs. 800 crore HP State Road Transmission Project etc. must be taken in hand soon.
Chief Secretary Anil Khachi assured the Chief Minister that the officers would work with greater commitment to ensure that the projects could be completed within a stipulated time period. He said the Government has appointed nodal officers for helping the investors to get various clearances. More pro-active approach would be ensured for achieving desired results, he added.
Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister J.C. Sharma welcomed the Chief Minister and other officers in the meeting.
Additional Secretary to the Chief Minister Sunil Sharma conducted the proceedings of the meeting and also proposed vote of thanks.
Concerned Deputy Commissioners updated the Chief Minister regarding progress of various ongoing developmental projects under implementation in their respective districts.
Additional Chief Secretary Social Justice and Empowerment Sanjay Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary Home Manoj Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary Forest R.D. Dhiman, Additional Chief Secretary Finance Pradodh Saxena, Director General of Police Sanjay Kundu, Principal Secretaries K.K. Pant and Onkar Chand Sharma, Secretaries Rajneesh, Akshay Sood, Ajay Sharma, Rajeev Sharma, Amitabh Awasthi, S.S. Guleria, Commissioner Industries Hansraj Sharma, PCCF Dr Savita, Head of Departments attended the meeting, whereas Deputy Commissioners and other officers joined the meeting virtually.