Khandu says to DCs- Don’t be lenient, Use your powers
Itanagar
“Don’t be lenient, Use your powers,” said chief minister Pema Khandu to the Deputy Commissioners of the state. He was addressing a meeting with deputy commissioners from various districts on Thursday. “If you as head of the district are not aware of status and progress of schemes and projects going on in your district, you will pave way for corruption and illegal activities to crop in,” Khandu pointed.
He urged them to take action against defaulters, including government officers and employees if found guilty.
Khandu said “the offices of the deputy commissioners need to be empowered and strengthened for judicious and successful implementation of central and state government flagship programmes”.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu informed that the state government is determined to revive the institution of Deputy Commissioner, who he said are the direct representative of the government in the grass root.
He requested the deputy commissioners to know everything in detail with facts and figures about their districts and take full responsibility of all welfare schemes and projects being implemented not only through their offices but also through all other line and work departments.
Recalling his meeting with Niti Aayog recently at Delhi, which was chaired by the Prime Minister, Khandu informed that the PM has categorically sought status report of all flagship programmes, which he has to submit within twenty days.
“When you go back to your respective districts, first thing to do is hold one-to-one meeting with all head of departments and collect details of all projects and schemes under implementation with facts and figures. I will be discussing on these through video-conferencing soon and I need you to be prepared,” he said.
Khandu also revealed that administration would be decentralized with shifting of offices from the state capital to zonal offices to take governance nearer to the people.
Highlighting the budget of this year, the Chief Minister stressed on emphasizing on employment generation and agri-horti sector. He urged the deputy commissioners to come up with innovative ideas in this sectors taking into consideration the demographic and geographic aspects of their respective districts.
“Expectations are very high from you all. Please take the responsibility seriously and work with renewed energy,” he advised and also suggested them to visit rural villages and outposts to take first hand stock of ground realities.
Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein also highlighted this year’s innovative budget and asserted that each and every scheme announced should be implemented in letter and spirit. For which, he sought cooperation of the deputy commissioners.
He said that financial resources of the state is limited as except for the centrally sponsored schemes, the state government doesn’t receive any financial assistance from any other external sources like ADB, World Bank, etc.
“Therefore, it is our responsibility to optimally utilize whatever funds we receive in the best possible way. Herein comes the role of deputy commissioners,” he said.
Informing that lot of funds have been pushed for development of the agri-horti sector in the last several years, Mein however lamented that there has not been much tangible development. He called upon the DCs to coordinate with central agencies like Spice Board, Tea Board, Rubber Board, etc and use their expertise in specific fields.
The deputy commissioners were informed in detail PM’s flagship programmes, particularly the Bunkar Yojna for women, Krishi Riin Yojna and Swalamban Yojna that have to be implemented by them in the districts.
Commissioner Finance also gave the details of the newly introduced scheme called the District Innovation and Challenge Fund. Under this scheme the DCs have to zero-in on an innovative project feasible to be implemented in their respective districts and submit it to the Government. Government will scrutinize these at the state level and approve the best innovative scheme and directly place a fund – Rs 2 crore to Rs 10 crore – with the DCs for its implementation.
Other discussions were also held on Rural Transformation scheme, under which a selected village in a circle will be selected and uplifted with a fund of Rs 75 lakhs, banking facilities, IT connectivity, GST, Direct Benefit Transfer, Aadhar enrolment, etc in the districts.
The meeting was also attended by the Chief Secretary and Secretary to the CM.
