Wani,Saroori reviews status of PMGSY projects in Jammu region

Directs to complete land compensation disbursement process within one month

JAMMU, JULY 25: To expedite the process of assessing the quantum of land compensation under PMGSY and its disbursement among the owners, the Minister for Roads & Buildings and Mechanical Engineering, Mr. Abdul Majid Wani today chaired a joint meeting of PMGSY functionaries and Revenue to review the status and other related matters with regard to such roads coming up in different parts of Jammu region.

MLA, Mr. G M Saroori, besides senior functionaries of the two departments were present in the meeting.

Reviewing district-wise and project-wise status of schemes, the Minister directed for disbursing the available amount of compensation with the department within a month. He also directed for conducting joint inspection by PMGSY and Revenue officials to assess the amount of compensation scheme-wise and its early submission so that the issue of release of funds could be taken up with the centre. He warned the concerned functionaries against any laxity in this regard.

He also called for working in coordination and early settling of the issues, if any, regarding compensation to avoid hurdles in the completion of projects.

The Minister said that the Government of India launched various flagship programmes under Bharat Nirman, of which PMGSY was most prestigious programme aimed at to connect each and every village with the nearest urban centers . He said that various projects were pending due to non-payment of land compensation in the state , adding that release of Rs.710 crore by the Union Government under the programme would help in completion of these projects.

Elaborating upon the criteria under the scheme, Mr. Wani asked for preparing Detailed Project Reports of the projects to connect the habitations having a population of less than 500 souls also.
Earlier, the meeting was informed that 552 projects are taken up under the programme in Jammu region, of which joint inspection on 356 have been conducted and 100 schemes have been accorded final award.

The meeting was informed that 49 schemes have been taken up for which Rs. 30.9 crore were released and Rs. 17.66 crore were disbursed as compensation up to June, 2013 in Kishtwar district.

Similarly, for 65 schemes taken up in Doda District, Rs. 46.92 crore have been released and Rs 37.46 crore disbursed as land compensation

Likewise, Rs 41.64 crore have been released for 39 schemes taken up in Ramban District, of which Rs. 29.97 crore was disbursed as land compensation , the meeting was informed.

Among others, Deputy Commissioners of Doda and Kishtwar districts, Chief Engineer, PMGSY, Assistant Commissioners Revenue, Sub-Divisional Magistrates, Tehsildars, representatives from forest department and engineers of the department attended the meeting.