CM Omar Abdullah chairs review meeting at Pulwama; progress of development works reviewed, stresses on timely execution of projects & optimum utilization of funds

• Lays foundation stone of a shopping mall at Pampore

PULWAMA: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a review meeting of District Pulwama to assess the status of development works and implementation of various government schemes in the district.

During the maiden district review meeting, the Chief Minister called upon officers to accelerate the pace of project execution and enhance expenditure levels under both District Capex and Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS). He expressed concern over the low percentage of expenditure against the approved outlay and urged the departments to step up efforts for timely utilization of funds.

“First of all, I would like to thank the DDC Chairman and MLAs for their valuable suggestions and ideas. I have already given several on-spot directions during the review, but I have one overarching request — please pay more attention towards execution. There is lot of need for overall improvement,” the Chief Minister said, while addressing the officers.

“We are now in mid-October, and if we fail to utilize the first instalment under the new SASCI scheme by December, further funds will be withheld — which would be a huge loss for us,” he cautioned.

Omar Abdullah directed the Deputy Commissioner to closely monitor progress of approved projects and ensure that any lapses are immediately corrected. “Please keep reviewing the projects regularly. Wherever there are delays, address them promptly. We have restarted the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for Hon’ble MLAs, but a lot more needs to be done in terms of expenditure,” he said.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Ministers Sakina Itoo, Javed Rana, Javid Dar, Satish Sharma, Chairman District Development Council Pulwama Abdul Bari Andrabi, MLAs Justice (Retd.) Hasnain Masoodi (Pampore), Ghulam Mohiuddin Mir (Rajpora), Waheed-ur Rehman Para (Pulwama), and Rafiq Ahmad Naik (Tral), besides Additional Chief Secretary to CM Dheeraj Gupta, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, Deputy Commissioner Pulwama Dr. Basharat Qayoom, heads of departments, and district officers.

Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Pulwama Dr. Basharat Qayoom presented a detailed overview of the District Capex Budget 2024-25, CSS 2024-25, and physical and financial achievements under Capex 2025-26, CDF, and MPLADS. He gave details of approved capital outlay of the district for 2025-26 and the details of works for which administrative approval has been accorded so far. The DC also gave department-wise, scheme-wise, and sector-wise performance reports covering Public Works (R&B), PMGSY, PMAY(G), Urban Development, School Education, Jal Shakti, Irrigation & Flood Control, Agriculture and allied sectors, Power, Cooperatives, Social Welfare, Employment, Youth Services & Sports, SDRF, Tribal Affairs, Revenue and Food & Civil Supplies.

The DDC Chairman and MLAs raised several public issues concerning their respective constituencies, including irrigation and flood mitigation measures, drinking water scarcity, beautification of Pulwama, Pampore and Tral towns, road connectivity, crop insurance, desilting of rivulets, revenue settlement, illegal mining, completion of the Degree College building at Rajpora, and upgradation of health centres.

The Chief Minister and Ministers gave on-spot directions to the concerned officers for immediate redressal of the highlighted issues. Taking serious note of illegal mining, Omar Abdullah directed the Deputy Commissioner and concerned departments to initiate strict measures to curb such activities. “If complaints are being received, action must be taken immediately. Whatever has to be done to stop illegal mining, should be done,” he asserted.

Expressing concern over the absence of toilets in certain schools, particularly for girls, the Chief Minister directed MLAs to allocate funds from their CDF to such institutions, stressing that lack of basic facilities contributes to higher dropout rates among girl students. He urged all departments to expedite ongoing works and ensure completion within the stipulated timelines. On the occasion, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also laid foundation stone of a new Shopping Complex at Pampore in virtual mode.