Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Monday said that the progress in various developmental projects must be uploaded immediately on the ‘Him Pragati’ portal so that they could be monitored at the highest level regularly and unnecessary delay in execution could be avoided.
The Chief Minister was presiding over the meeting to review the progress of major projects being executed in the state.
He said that the officers must ensure time-bound completion of all major projects in Himachal.
Almost one year has been wasted due to Coronavirus pandemic, thus the works must be executed with greater vigour to meet the deadlines. Also, 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 said.
Thakur said that MoUs signed regarding various projects must be followed up proactively so that they could be executed at the earliest. MOUs signed in respect of agriculture, education, housing, industries etc. must be expatiated and steps must be taken to provide them required forest and other clearances.
He said that special thrust must also be laid on those projects, which are more viable and developers are willing to complete the same at the earliest. Appropriate sites must be identified for dumping of muck so that the executors do not face inconvenience.
Apart from this, the entrepreneurs must be provided all the clearances within stipulated time period so that they could start their projects immediately, he said.
The Chief Minister directed 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 are resolved. 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.
Thakur further said that unnecessary delay in ongoing projects would be viewed seriously and responsibility would be fixed. The COVID pandemic has adversely affected the development in the state. Since now the situation seems to be under control, steps must be initiated to make up for the time loss, he added.
The Chief Minister said that the Global Investor Meet held on November 7 and 8 had attracted MoUs worth about Rs 96000 crore.
The projects worth Rs 13500 crore were signed within two months of the Global Investors Meet.
He directed the officers to follow up the MoUs signed in different sectors so that they could be materialized.
On Himachal completing 50 years of statehood, the Chief Minister said that the state is celebrating 50 years of its statehood, thus officers must come with suggestions to celebrate the event in a befitting manner. The government is planning to organize 51 events to mark the glorious Golden jubilee journey of the state, he said.
Thakur further directed that all the Deputy Commissioners must evolve a mechanism to monitor ongoing projects in their respective district.
He said that delay in projects would be viewed seriously and action would be taken against the person responsible for the delay.
The Chief Minister also issued directions 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. Also, 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, he added.
During the meeting, the 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 proactive approach would be ensured for achieving desired results, he added.