NewsID: 181 Author Mohammad Azhar , PRO Dated 15 November 2023
Subject Chief Secretary for extension of JTFRP for giving fillip to critical infra and livelihoods
Chairs 5th PSC Meeting of the organization
Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta today chaired the 5th Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting of the World Bank funded Jhelum & Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) implemented by J&K Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) here.
Besides the Secretary Tourism & CEO, ERA the meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, H&UDD; Commissioner Secretary, Industries and Commerce; DG, Planning; and other concerned officers.
Jammu based officers participated in the meeting through video conferencing
During this meeting the Chief Secretary reviewed the pace of the ongoing projects. He stressed on further enhancing it for projects near completion so that these are dedicated to public before the onset of winter season. He further instructed for completing the infrastructure projects in all respects so that people do not face any kind of inconvenience in their utilization.
Regarding the unutilized funds lend by the World Bank to JTFRP the Chief Secretary directed for looking into the ways and means for securing extension of the Project by one year. He made out that the projects completed under it have proved lot more beneficial for the people and the funds can be used to bring more improvement in critical infrastructure and livelihood opportunities for people.
Dr Mehta took note of the delay caused in 2019 & 2020 due to unforeseen Covid-19 situation. He asked for making best use of the time available with them. He also advised them to prioritize the projects that can be implemented in a short span of time.
The Chief Secretary reviewed the detailed Progress of the Project and directed that all the sub-projects under execution through JKPCC shall be taken over by the Public Word (R&B) department on priority basis.
The Chief Secretary asked the Public Works Department to take-up the incomplete infrastructure projects for completing them within the deadline. He also directed the respective line departments to take over all the completed sub-projects under JTFRP within a weeks time.
He asked for bringing in innovation and further augment the productivity of the projects poised to create livelihoods for people. He called for examining the projects completed till date so that their functionality is ascertained afresh especially that of the Storm Water Drainage projects around Srinagar city.
In this meeting the Chief Secretary reviewed the budget and audit of the agency. He directed the CEO to rework the cost of the AMC of the projects beyond the Project Completion period. He also gave directives for increasing the efficiency of projects besides broadening their scope for encompassing people from other walks of life.
In his presentation , the CEO, ERA, Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah highlighted the performance of the agency made from 2019. He gave out that out of 213 works, 174 stands completed and 39 are at the advanced stages of completion during this period. He further informed that contracts worth Rs 1763 Cr stands awarded against which a cumulative expenditure to the tune of Rs 1320 Cr has been incurred till October this year.
It was revealed that the JTFRP was focused on recovery and mitigating risks linked to occurrence of floods here and it has largely achieved this goal. It was given out that the restored and improved public buildings have served 2,185,798 people, way above the target of 1,000,000.
Moreover the infrastructure works completed under JTFRP includes 52 Schools, 4 higher education buildings, one fire station, 80 km of roads, 4 bridges, 75 km drainage network and 33 stormwater drainage pumping stations.
It was added that critical medical equipment and supplies to 36 hospitals, augmenting 100- Helpline with 68 critical care ambulances, commissioning of 30 oxygen generation plants covering all districts of Jammu and Kashmir was also achieved under this project.
With respect to livelihoods augmentation it was said that market access for 600 families associated with cocoon rearing, enhanced cocoon procurement capacity and production capacity has already been created. In addition to these interventions similar developments were made in wool, handloom and handicraft sectors of the UT, as was given out in the meeting.
Economic Reconstruction Agency 