States » NorthPosted at: Nov 2 2026 10:18PM


Omar Abdullah asks departments to speed up development works, ensure optimal utilisation of funds

Jammu, Nov 2 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said the next six months would be crucial for accelerating developmental activities and ensuring optimal utilisation of funds allocated to various departments, and directed officials to expedite the execution of projects and ensure their timely completion.
Chairing an introductory meeting with Ministers and senior civil administration officers at the Civil Secretariat here, following the resumption of the traditional bi-annual Darbar Move, Abdullah congratulated the Ministers and officers on the reopening of the Secretariat in Jammu and stressed that administrative functioning should remain focused and unaffected by external distractions.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, all Ministers, Advisor to the Chief Minister, Acting Chief Secretary Shailendra Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Administrative Secretaries, heads of various departments and senior civil and police officers.
Officers posted outside Jammu attended the meeting through video conferencing.
At the outset, Acting Chief Secretary Shailendra Kumar briefed the meeting on administrative arrangements and key issues concerning the functioning of various departments, including preparations for the 2027-28 Budget.
The Deputy Chief Minister and other Ministers also raised several issues of public importance and sought the administration's cooperation for their timely resolution.
Abdullah asked newly inducted Ministers and those assigned new portfolios to undertake a detailed review of their respective departments and assess the implementation status of commitments made in the previous Budget.
The review should identify completed projects, ongoing works and projects yet to be initiated, along with reasons for delays and measures required to expedite their implementation, he said.
The Chief Minister also called for a comprehensive review of the government's manifesto commitments to assess the progress made and identify further steps required to fulfil them.
Emphasising the need for close monitoring of developmental projects, particularly those being implemented under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme, Abdullah directed Ministers to regularly review their progress and ensure timely execution.
For the 2027-28 financial year, he asked all departments to prepare project proposals and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) well in advance for projects proposed under SASCI.
Departments were directed to keep DPRs and tender documents ready so that the tendering process and other preparatory formalities could be completed ahead of time, allowing work to begin immediately after the allocation of funds.
He said these directions had already been communicated to the departments and reiterated the need for their effective implementation.
The Ministers were also asked to undertake reviews of the districts assigned to them at the earliest and ensure close monitoring of developmental works.
Reviewing winter preparedness, Abdullah stressed the need to maintain uninterrupted essential services through effective inter-departmental coordination. Taking note of concerns over ration dumping in certain areas, he asked the concerned department to address the issue and ensure adequate availability of essential commodities.
Calling for a proactive approach to Budget formulation, the Chief Minister directed departments to initiate consultations with the Finance and Planning Departments well in advance for preparation of the next financial year's Budget.
Early identification of priorities and preparation of realistic proposals would provide adequate time for their proper consideration and help avoid last-minute inclusion of commitments that might be difficult to implement, he observed.
The Chief Minister also emphasised the need to provide comfortable working and living arrangements for employees who have shifted to Jammu in connection with the Darbar Move.
He directed the administration to address shortcomings in accommodation, office facilities and other essential requirements to ensure the smooth and efficient functioning of the Secretariat.
Calling upon Ministers and officers to work in close coordination, Abdullah stressed the need for a focused approach towards effective implementation of developmental commitments and public welfare initiatives.
Later, the Chief Minister visited the chambers of newly inducted Ministers and inspected various rooms, sections and offices of the Civil Secretariat.
He interacted with staff and officials and reviewed the facilities and arrangements put in place following the reopening of the Civil Secretariat in Jammu after the Darbar Move.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Cabinet colleagues and senior officers.
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Tags: #Omar Abdullah asks departments to speed up development works# ensure optimal utilisation of funds
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