Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday chaired a comprehensive district review meeting in Udhampur to assess the progress of developmental works, winter preparedness and delivery of essential public services.
The meeting reviewed the functioning and progress of various departments, including roads and infrastructure, health, education, power, Jal Shakti, agriculture, rural development, industries, youth services, and food and civil supplies, an official spokesperson said.
He said during the review meeting, the chief minister directed all departments to accelerate the execution of ongoing developmental works, with particular emphasis on improving physical progress and ensuring optimal financial utilisation. He stressed that developmental projects must move forward in a coordinated and time-bound manner, with accountability at every level.
Calling for closer monitoring of projects being executed under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), the chief minister directed that their progress be reviewed fortnightly to identify bottlenecks, address implementation-related issues and ensure timely completion. He emphasised the need to maximise utilisation of allocated funds and ensure that the district derives full benefit from the available financial assistance.
The chief minister also stressed the timely release of funds under various development and relief schemes, particularly the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), observing that delays in fund disbursement should not impede public works or deprive beneficiaries of timely assistance.
On issues concerning project implementation, Omar Abdullah directed district authorities to expedite pending forest clearances in accordance with prescribed rules and procedures, while ensuring close coordination with the concerned departments to avoid unnecessary delays in developmental works.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Udhampur Ananth Dwivedi gave a detailed presentation on the district’s overall developmental profile, sector-wise achievements, ongoing projects, financial and physical progress, and preparedness for the winter season.
Reviewing major infrastructure initiatives, the meeting was apprised of the progress of the Government Medical College (GMC), Udhampur, at Baili, which has achieved 88 per cent overall physical progress. Updates were also shared on national highway projects along NH-244, NH-44 and NH-1A, besides the Mantalai tourism development project being undertaken under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, for which the Request for Proposal (RFP) is scheduled to close in November 2026.
Winter preparedness also figured during the meeting. The deputy commissioner briefed the meeting on the comprehensive road clearance mechanism covering 124 roads spanning approximately 775 kilometres, supported by the deployment of requisite machinery. The arrangements also include buffer stocks of power poles and transformers, availability of water tankers and medical supplies, and advance stocking of ration in snow-bound areas to ensure uninterrupted essential services during winter.
The meeting also reviewed progress under the District and UT CAPEX budgets, tribal affairs initiatives, PMGSY road connectivity, MGNREGA employment generation and completion of houses under PMAY-G.
In the water and power sectors, discussions covered implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission, urban water supply projects under AMRUT 2.0, smart metering and infrastructure augmentation under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). The chief minister emphasised the importance of reliable public utilities, particularly during the winter months.
The health and social welfare sectors were also reviewed, with the presentation covering PMJAY-SEHAT coverage, efforts towards TB elimination, institutional deliveries, social security pension coverage and initiatives under Mission Shakti.
In the agriculture and allied sectors, the deputy commissioner highlighted the implementation of the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), functioning of Kisan Khidmat Ghars, issuance of Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs) and progress in generating Agristack Farmer IDs, in which Udhampur has emerged among the leading districts in the Union Territory.
The review further covered industrial development, including the Industrial Infrastructure Development Centre at Battal Ballian, distribution of property cards under the SVAMITVA scheme, regulation of mining activities, revenue generation and targeted food distribution through the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department.
On public grievance redressal, the meeting was informed that the district had achieved a disposal rate of 96 percent of grievances received through the JK Samadhan portal. The chief minister stressed the importance of responsive administration and timely resolution of public grievances.
Several deputations also called on the chief minister during his visit and apprised him of various public issues and demands concerning their respective areas and sectors.
During the visit, the chief minister e-inaugurated four developmental projects of the Rural Development Department (RDD), completed at a cumulative cost of ₹5.06 crore, strengthening grassroots development infrastructure in the district.
The inaugurated projects include the District Development Council (DDC) Building at Udhampur, constructed at a cost of ₹235.76 lakh; Block Development Council (BDC) Building at Parlidhar, costing ₹80.17 lakh; BDC Building at Jaganoo, completed at a cost of ₹84.41 lakh; and BDC Building at Sewna, constructed at a cost of ₹106.32 lakh.
The projects have been executed under the CAPEX budget and cater to Udhampur East, Ramnagar and Chenani constituencies.
…reviews Reasi development, directs faster project execution
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday directed departments to accelerate expenditure, remove implementation bottlenecks and expedite ongoing development works in Reasi district, stressing that available funds should translate into tangible results on the ground.
Chairing a district-level review meeting, the Chief Minister assessed the progress of projects, budget utilisation and delivery of essential public services. He also laid e-foundation stones for five projects with a combined estimated cost of ₹20.38 crore.
The projects include renewal of the Gran-Sukhalghati road up to Toot under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) at a cost of ₹5.14 crore; a 6.3 MVA, 33/11 KV receiving station at Chassana in Mahore costing ₹4.77 crore; levelling and construction of a boundary wall at Kalka Akhara, Reasi, at ₹1.64 crore; a Centre of Excellence costing ₹4.64 crore; and a 3.15 MVA, 33/11 KV receiving station at Gulabgarh at ₹4.16 crore.
Omar Abdullah said Reasi faced distinct infrastructure and planning challenges because of its geographical location and the large floating population, particularly pilgrims visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi and other religious shrines.
He said infrastructure planning needed to account for both the district’s resident population and the substantial pilgrim influx, which runs into over a crore. He assured that the government would make efforts to address the resulting requirements.
Reviewing the Public Works (Roads and Buildings) sector, the Chief Minister directed officers to expedite ongoing works and utilise available resources during the remaining working season. He also asked them to identify projects requiring re-appropriation of funds, in consultation with the respective MLAs.
On the newly restructured rural employment framework, VB-G RAM G, he said the shift from a demand-driven to an allocation-driven system required departments to accelerate expenditure and ensure effective implementation.
The Chief Minister acknowledged staff shortages across departments, particularly vacancies at the cutting-edge level that directly affect public service delivery. He said the issue would be examined at the departmental level.
Reviewing Mission Yuva, he discussed delays in the processing and disbursement of cases by financial institutions. He said the involvement of bank representatives in the project approval process was intended to facilitate loan disbursement and avoid repeated assessments. He assured that he would take up the matter with banks to streamline the process.
On the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), Omar Abdullah called for focused efforts to achieve the prescribed expenditure target of over 80 per cent. He asked departments to reduce the gap between projects receiving administrative approval and those moving to execution, warning that delays and underutilisation of funds could affect future allocations and incentives.
He directed departments to closely monitor the physical and financial progress of SASCI projects and ensure that approved works were taken up and completed within stipulated timelines.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Reasi Kumar Abhishek presented an overview of the district’s development profile, sector-wise achievements and the physical and financial progress of ongoing projects.
The meeting reviewed the District and Union Territory CAPEX budgets, tribal affairs initiatives, PMGSY works, employment generation under MGNREGA and housing construction under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G).
Progress under the Jal Jeevan Mission, urban water supply projects under AMRUT 2.0, smart metering and infrastructure augmentation under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) was also discussed.
The review covered health and social welfare programmes, social security pensions, agriculture and allied sectors, including the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), Kisan Khidmat Ghars and issuance of Kisan Credit Cards. Revenue generation and foodgrain distribution were also taken up.
The Chief Minister sought due attention to issues raised by elected representatives and stressed coordination between public representatives, the district administration and line departments to address local concerns.
Ministers Ali Mohammad Sagar, Sakina Itoo, Mir Saifullah, Shamim Firdous and Altaf Ahmed Wani; Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani; MLAs Baldev Raj Sharma, Khursheed Ahmed and Kuldeep Raj Dubey; Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta; Deputy Commissioner Reasi, SSP Reasi and district and divisional officers attended the meeting.
Later, delegations from different areas of the district called on the Chief Minister and raised various developmental issues. Omar Abdullah heard their concerns and assured them that genuine issues would be examined for appropriate redressal.
