Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while chairing the review meeting of the Finance Department on Tuesday said that the state government was ensuring ideal financial management, adding that the state government has taken effective steps towards financial discipline during its two-year tenure.

"All government departments have been given clear directions that after budget allocation for any work or project, the stipulated period for its completion should be strictly followed," he said, adding that the government was committed to the welfare of every section of the society by making optimum and balanced use of the resources of the state. For this, special attention was being given to financial management, he said, directing to clear all the pending bills of Public Works Department and Jal Shakti Department.

Sukhu conducted a detailed review of subjects related to e- delivery, budget, expenditure and treasury etc.

In another review meeting of the Energy Department, Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board, Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited and other undertakings, the took detailed information on various subjects related to their financial status, resources and loans, and gave necessary guidelines.

 
Expedite purchase process of 327 e-buses 

Chairing a review meeting of Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) CM Sukhu, directed the officers to expedite the purchase process of 327 e-buses and asked to complete all the formalities related to the process in a time-bound manner. He said that 100 Matador mini buses would also be purchased to provide better facilities in remote rural areas. The availability of these buses would also ensure further improvement in the fiscal health and services of the HRTC.

Sukhu also gave instructions to take measures to make the HRTC self-reliant, adding that due to the dedicated services of its employees, the financial condition of the corporation was improving. He added that in the last few months the income of the corporation has also witnessed a substantial increase. He said that the use of new technology was being ensured to make the corporation profitable and efficient and  HRTC has also started a cashless payment option in its buses, making Himachal Pradesh the first state to provide such a facility. He also reviewed the performance, income and expenditure of the corporation at the divisional and regional level, and gave necessary guidelines to the officers.

In another function, the Chief Minister inaugurated two projects to be implemented in the state by the non-governmental organization 'Needle Leaf Foundation - The Savior' here today. Through these projects, the organization will work on a large scale to control forest fires and to prevent drug abuse among the youth. Sukhu  praised the efforts of the organization and said that the state government has ensured multidimensional measures to control forest fires and forest conservation. In view of this, modern technology is being used. He said that a large-scale campaign has been launched in the state to prevent the abuse of narcotics and drugs. Work is being done in coordination at the inter-state level to stop drug smuggling.