Shillong ( Meghalaya), Aug 12 : Union Minister of State for the Ministries of Jal Shakti and Tribal Affairs Bishweswar Tudu today chaired a review meeting of the implementation status of various developmental works, schemes and programs at the State Convention Centre here .
The MoS also chaired the departmental review of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) schemes and other flagship programs under the two departments.
While briefing the Press after reviewing in details the ongoing programmes under his Ministry, the Minister said that the department officials have shown in details the implementation and achievements under various schemes like Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). He added that to get an idea of the actual implementation on the ground level he will undertake visits to different sites of programme implementation Saturday morning.
While speaking on the lines of JJM, Tudu said that the target is to achieve 100 per cent implementation by March, 2024. “The national average is around 50 per cent but the aim is to achieve 100 per cent by March, 2024,” he said, adding that steps are being taken in order to accomplish the goal.
The Minister urged the State governments to work in coordination with the Centre to achieve the target.
The Minister also acknowledged that the Meghalaya being a hilly state, the inherent challenges of communication and transportation are always associated with it. The Minister said that there have been some delays in the implementation of few projects because of these inherent challenges. He said that the Central government is very empathetic to the concerns of the states and that it is always welcoming measures so that the inherent challenges of the states can be dealt with. He said, “I have suggested them to follow the procedures and if possible we will relax some of the guidelines so that the work could be done on time”.
Replying to a query about allocation of additional funds to the state, the Minister said that , “the DoNER Ministry is giving lot of importance to the Northeastern states, so, according to progress and practical works, again the DoNER will give the additional funds”.
This is the first official visit of the Central Minister to Meghalaya for reviewing ongoing projects in the State.
Senior officials of the state government were present during the review meeting.
