Centrally-sponsored schemes: Release funds to districts, says Mufti Mohammad

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Tuesday directed Deputy Commissioners for release of state share of funds to districts for availing benefits of Centrally-sponsored schemes.

Asking Deputy Commissioners not to lose focus on the kitty of funds allocated under Centrally-Sponsored Schemes (CSSs), Sayeed issued instructions to ensure release of State share to the districts, enabling them to access the Central share of funding for achieving both physical and financial targets fixed during the District Development Board (DDB) meetings.

The Chief Minister issued the instructions during a meeting convened to review the implementation of decision taken at District Development Board (DDB) meetings.

Since 50 per cent of the Rs 6000 crore kitty under centrally sponsored schemes has been earmarked for education sector alone, Sayeed also passed instructions for approaching MHRD to convene its meeting of the Project Approval Board (PAB) so that funds under Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) are sanctioned well in time.

The Chief Minister was informed that out of the 223 DDB decisions, 59 have been implemented while 163 are at various stages of implementation.

It was given out that 112 snow-clearance machines have been deployed and buffer stocks of one lakh tonnes of food-grain and one lakh LPG cylinders are available to meet the demand in the peak winter season.

"The LPG stock will be raised to four lakh cylinders to meet the requirement of consumers in winter," he informed the meeting.

Referring to the colossal damage inflicted by the

devastating floods of September 2014, the Chief Minister said flood prevention measures have become imperatively necessary to avert loss of life and property in future.

He referred to the component of funds earmarked for flood protection and management under the Prime Minister's Development Package announced recently.

Sayeed instructed Irrigation and Flood Control Department to firm up a 'Comprehensive Flood Management Plan' which factors in all the elements required to not only substantially increase the carrying capacity of the rivers and spill-over channels but also takes care of the fortification of river banks.

While reviewing the health and education sectors, Sayeed stated that given the paucity of resources, a portion of under-construction sub-district hospitals could be made functional to provide the required healthcare services.

While expressing concern over complaints of non-adherence to curtailment schedule by Power Development Department (PDD), the Chief Minister directed Development Commissioner Power to strengthen the transmission system so that requirement of power in peak hours is ensured.