Srinagar, Oct 10: To assess the progress of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha presided over a high-level meeting at the Civil Secretariat on Tuesday.
During the meeting, the Lieutenant Governor reviewed the performance, financial allocations, and expenditures related to CSS across various sectors such as agriculture, education, health, social welfare, livelihood mission, border area development, urban mission, and skill development.
Emphasising the importance of transparency and swift implementation, he noted that these factors had been instrumental in the transformation of Jammu and Kashmir over the past three years.
The Lieutenant Governor stressed the need for 100% utilization of allocations under various flagship programs of the Government of India to promote inclusive growth and unlock the potential of the Union Territory. He instructed officials to closely monitor set indicators at the district level, conduct workshops for Deputy Commissioners and District officers, and oversee the functioning of the delivery machinery.
He further emphasized the importance of dedicated efforts to ensure that all schemes reach 100% saturation, benefitting all entitled beneficiaries without leaving anyone behind. Proper planning, monitoring, and efficient implementation were cited as crucial factors for translating programs into tangible outcomes on the ground and achieving social objectives.
The Lieutenant Governor urged departments to develop comprehensive plans to minimize delays and create more fiscal space for effective implementation. He specifically directed the Labour and Employment Department to submit a proposal for the establishment of an Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) hospital in Srinagar. Additionally, the Health Department was instructed to focus on increasing the utilization of the SEHAT Golden Card in government hospitals.
Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta (Chief Secretary), R K Goyal (Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department), Dr. Mandeep Kumar Bhandari (Principal Secretary to Lt. Governor), Administrative Secretaries, Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, and senior officers, attended the meeting.
Santosh D Vaidya, Principal Secretary of the Finance Department, provided an overview of the critical components of the Centrally Sponsored Schemes in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir during the meeting.
