PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
Chief secretary Anand Bardhan has said that the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) should be provided access to the Gatishakti portal so that it can study all projects, identify four or five areas as pilot projects and provide technical and expert assistance in preparing a comprehensive linkage plan for these identified areas.
The CS was addressing a high-level committee of NABARD at the secretariat on Monday. In the meeting, the CS directed departments to include as many projects as possible under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), emphasizing the priority sector.
He directed all departments to upload their projects on the portal within the next three days. He said that proposals for reimbursement of ongoing projects should also be uploaded soon, so that reimbursement can be released on time. On a stern note the CS expressed concern over the slow pace of the projects and directed that old projects be completed on priority. He said that secretaries concerned should conduct a weekly review of projects at a slow pace and ensure that the works are completed.
He said that the proper benefits of the schemes in any area can be realized only when all departments adopt an integrated approach. The CS also emphasized the need for departments to work in coordination with each other.
The CS directed the Horticulture department to continuously monitor the polyhouse project by conducting weekly reviews at the secretary level to ensure its completion as soon as possible. He said that the Animal Husbandry department should establish large hospitals in all districts.
The CS was informed that a target of Rs 1,000 crore has been set for NABARD assisted projects in the financial year 2026-27.
Principal secretary R Meenakshi Sundaram, special principal secretary Amit Sinha, secretary Dilip Jawalkar, BVRC Purushottam, C Ravishankar, Dhiraj Singh Garbyal and chief general manager of NABARD Pankaj Yadav attended the meeting.
