CM directs to keep DPRs ready; work to start once polls are over

Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has directed to keep detailed project reports (DPRs) of all the proposed projects ready so that work can begin as soon as the model code of conduct for the Panchayat election is over.

Banerjee has directed to take this step so that development projects can be implemented right away after the election without wasting any more time.

Chief Minister held the central level administrative review meeting at Nabanna on Tuesday. Chief Secretary Malay De, principal secretaries, special secretaries, joint secretaries, director general of police and senior police officers were present in the meeting. Ministers were not present in this meeting as they have gone for election campaign in different districts.

Banerjee said the construction work of projects that has already started will continue. "Election was announced one month and seven days ago. The DPRs of the projects have to be ready so that work can start once the model code conduct is over. Necessary planning and other related work should also be kept ready," she said.

Appreciating the work undertaken by different departments, Chief Minister said: "Compared to 2010-11, the state plan expenditure has increased 4.8 times and the capital expenditure has increased 8.5 times."

The state plan expenditure and capital expenditure have increased by 17.82 percent and 68.35 percent respectively in 2017-18 compared to that of 2016-17. Banerjee has also mentioned that the farmers' income has increased more than three times since 2010-11.

Sources said there were discussions on advanced financial plan and release of funds by the state Finance department from April onwards. During the discussion in this connection, a senior official of the department has stated that necessary steps in this connection have been taken and it has already been initiated.

The total fund release by the state Finance Department in 2017-18 fiscal was Rs 61,392 crore and the overall percentage of expenditure was 94.11 percent. The Chief Minister raised the issues related to the problems faced by NEET examinees those who appeared in Bengali language. Banerjee also discussed the issues related to the state Forest department as a cheetah was found in Siliguri recently. There were also discussions on performance of the departments and she has directed officials of some of the departments to take necessary steps to expedite work once the model code of conduct is over.

It may be mentioned that she visited SSKM Hospital on her way to Nabanna and discussed issues related to the health department at the administrative review meeting.