Committee on estimates convenes meeting in Sgr

Srinagar, July 2: The House Committee on Estimates Wednesday convened a meeting at the Assembly Complex in Srinagar to review the functioning and fund utilisation of the Public Works Department (PWD).An official statement issued here said the meeting was chaired by the Committee Chairperson, Shamim Firdous and attended by members Abdul Majid Bhat (Larmi), Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Mir, Pawan Kumar Gupta, Professor Gharu Ram Bhagat, Dr. Shafi Ahmad Wani, Chander Prakash Ganga and Pyare Lal Sharma.Senior officers including Principal Secretary, Finance Department, Santosh D Vaidya, Secretary PWD, Bhupinder Kumar, Director General, Accounts and Treasuries, Fayaz A Lone Director Finance Director Planning Chief Engineer, PWD, Financial Commissioner, JKPCC and other officials from the concerned departments also participated in the meeting.The Chairperson emphasised the need for strict monitoring, efficient fund allocation and effective utilization to accelerate developmental projects and works under PWD across Jammu and Kashmir. She called for timely completion of all the ongoing and languishing projects for public convenience at the earliest. The Committee also deliberated on easing the utilization of Constituency Development Funds (CDF) for the legislators on a discretionary basis. The members stressed the importance of timely disbursement of funds and urged for a criteria-based approach to ensure equitable and holistic development across all regions. The Chairperson asked the officials to ensure effective coordination and prompt response to public grievances, emphasising that legislators are the voice of public aspirations and must serve to the best of their capacities. The members further discussed the disbursement and utilisation of exigency and emergency funds for the large public benefit.The Committee resolved to continue regular review of the functioning of key departments besides scrutinising the budget estimates, revised estimates and actual expenditures on developmental works. During the meeting, the members offered suggestions and raised various concerns related to fund allocation and project execution. Responding to the concerns, the officials assured that developmental works will be undertaken in a coordinated and streamlined manner to ensure smooth execution.