In a major decision aimed at speedy implementation of irrigation projects in Telangana State, Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao has directed the authorities concerned to devise a new policy wherein budgetary allocations are made directly to the Irrigation Department.
Such a system would enable the Irrigation Department spend funds directly without waiting for clearance of the Finance Department. The matter has also been informed to the authorities of Accountant General’s office to avoid audit objections.
The decision regarding directing spending by the Irrigation Department was taken at a review meeting held here on Friday, particularly on avoiding the delay in the execution (construction) of irrigation projects. The new system was necessary since the government was planning to allocate Rs.25,000 crore for irrigation projects every year.
Stressing the need to bring down administrative delays, KCR said construction of irrigation projects used to prolong for decades together hitherto, but the Telangana government was resolved to complete them in two to three years.
He explained how the changes brought in acquisition of land had yielded good results in speedy land acquisition. Along with completing the ongoing projects on Krishna there was a necessity to complete new projects such as Palamuru-Rangareddy and Dindi on Krishna and Kaleshwaram, Pranahitha, Dummugudem and others on Godavari in short period so that new irrigation potential was created along with new employment by filling vacancies.
Incentives to contractors
Reiterating the plan to give one per cent incentive to contractors who would complete works in time, the Chief Minister suggested that there should be a system to penalise the delay in completion of works. Chief Secretary Rajiv Sharma, Special Chief Secretary (Finance) K. Pradeep Chandra, Principal Secretaries S. Narsing Rao (CMO), S.K. Joshi (Irrigation), Secretaries (Finance) K. Ramakrishna Rao N. Sivasankar, and Engineer-in-Chief C. Muralidhar participated.
Source: The Hindu