Dehradun: Chief Secretary Anand Vardhan held a meeting at the Secretariat on Tuesday regarding capital expenditure, CSS schemes, EAP schemes, NABARD schemes, SASCI, SNA Sparsh, and departmental expenditure plans. The Chief Secretary directed that proposals for capital expenditure, CSS, EAP, and NABARD-funded schemes be submitted on time. He also emphasized the timely submission of reimbursement claims. He said that departments performing well should be provided with additional funds.
A strong mechanism should be developed for independent third-party evaluation.
The Chief Secretary directed that timelines be set for the timely completion of all projects and that monitoring be carried out accordingly. The Chief Secretary directed the Finance and Planning Department to develop a robust mechanism for independent third-party evaluation to maintain the quality of work. He said that accountability should be fixed, and action should be taken against those responsible. He said that provisions for third-party evaluation should be immediately made for projects where such provisions do not exist. He also said that departments can immediately utilize the agencies empanelled by the Planning Department for third-party quality control.
Irrigation Department given the target of increasing irrigated area from 15 percent to 30 percent
The Chief Secretary gave the Irrigation Department the target of doubling the state’s total irrigated land from 15 percent to 30 percent in the next 5 years. He directed the Irrigation Department to prepare good and high-quality projects. He said that work can be done on new barrages, canals, etc. He directed that the sprinkler system, which was implemented as a pilot project for irrigation, should be implemented throughout the state. He said that wherever the irrigation system has collapsed or is non-functional, it should be repaired and restarted. He also asked the Minor Irrigation Department to prepare good and high-quality proposals. Water Supply Department Given Zero Carbon Target
Mechanism for 24x7 Real-Time Monitoring of STP Plants to be Prepared
The Chief Secretary gave the Water Supply Department the target of focusing on zero carbon emissions in the schemes operated by them. He emphasized that the Water Supply Department and Water Corporation should work towards making their water supply schemes zero-carbon emission and stressed the integration of solar power with batteries. He also suggested using the Climate Change Fund for this purpose. He said that proposals should be prepared on how to use solar energy as an energy source in their projects. He instructed the Water Supply Department to prepare a mechanism for 24×7 real-time monitoring of all their STP plants.
Water Supply Department Given Target to Install Water Meters in All Government Residences in Dehradun by March 31
The Chief Secretary gave the Water Supply Department the target of achieving 100% saturation of water meters in all government colonies of Dehradun by March 31. He also mentioned the need to achieve 100% saturation of water meters in all municipal corporations in the state. He said that this will prevent water wastage. He also instructed the Water Supply Department to strengthen its system to maintain water quality. He said that action should be taken against the concerned officer in case of complaints of contaminated water. He instructed that the DPR under the drinking water component of the Song Dam project should be submitted to the government within a week. He also emphasized the use of treated water from STPs for non-drinking purposes. He said that the Water Supply Department should prepare a proposal in coordination with the Irrigation Department to utilize the treated water from its STPs for irrigation and other non-drinking purposes.
Action Plan to Develop Tehri as an International Destination to be Prepared Soon
The Chief Secretary instructed the Urban Development Department to develop large parks in Dehradun and other major cities of the state. He said that an action plan should be prepared soon to develop Tehri as an international destination. He also mentioned the need to start the Tehri Lake Ring Road project soon. Additionally, the Tourism Department should prepare proposals for developing tourism areas in Tehri, Rishikesh, and Champawat.
The Chief Secretary instructed the Forest Department to prepare proposals for city greening and expressways, as well as a model project for bio-fencing. He said that he had directed the IT Department to prepare a mechanism for the establishment, operation, and mentoring of Science Cities and Science Centers.
On this occasion, Principal Secretaries R.K. Sudhanshu, R. Meenakshi Sundaram, PCCF Kapil Lal, Secretaries Nitesh Kumar Jha, Sachin Kurve, Dilip Jawalkar, Dr. Pankaj Kumar Pandey, Dr. V. Shanmugam, Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar, Yugal Kishore Pant, Ranveer Singh Chauhan, Additional Secretary Himanshu Khurana, Mrs. Apurva Pandey, and Manmohan Mainali, along with other senior officers, were present.
