National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), country’s apex development bank, has made normative allocation of Rs560 crore to Punjab for sanction of new projects under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF)-XXI scheme for the year 2015-16.
The status and future action plan of State Government projects funded under this scheme was discussed in detail in the High Powered Committee meeting held under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal.
The officials of the Finance Department informed Chief Secretary that Department of Irrigation and Public Works Department have been allocated Rs190 crore each, Department of Education and Department of Water Supply and Sanitation have been allocated Rs90 crore and Rs80 crore respectively.
Chief Secretary stated that all the projects of the State Government of Rs560 crores which have been funded under this scheme shall be completed within timeline by the concerned departments.
Some of the major projects sanctioned by the committee included upgradation of 319 km length of water course on Sirhind feeder in Muktsar district, strengthening and widening of 64 roads in 19 districts, construction of buildings and infrastructure in meritorious schools etc.
NABARD chief general manager PM Ghole mentioned that for all the projects, technical sanction needs to be given within three months from the date of the sanction of the project and the tendering should be completed in six months from the date of the sanction.