No work in Gujarat to stop due to grant shortages, says CM Patel
Gandhinagar, Jan 21
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday issued strict instructions to heads of state departments to ensure that there is no compromise on the quality of construction works undertaken for the state's development.
The directions were given during a Cabinet meeting, with the Chief Minister emphasising that all ongoing and upcoming projects must meet the highest standards.
Government spokesperson and Minister Jitu Vaghani said, "The Chief Minister has made it clear that the quality of all construction works must be the top priority. Any lapse, no matter how small, should be rectified immediately in the public interest."
Minister Vaghani highlighted the Mehmedabad - Mahudha road project, constructed at a cost of Rs 200 crore. "Complaints were received that this road, designed to improve transport facilities for citizens, had deteriorated within a year. The Chief Minister has directed the Roads and Buildings Department to restore it immediately and also ordered an inquiry into those responsible," he said.
Regarding fund management, Minister Vaghani stated, "The Chief Minister has instructed all departments that no work should be stopped due to a lack of grants. Officials must ensure advance arrangements and timely demand for funds so that citizen-centric projects continue without interruption."
He further added, "Departments have also been directed to utilise the budget allocated to them efficiently by the end of March. Administrative delays should never impede public services."
Officials have been reminded that serious lapses affecting public projects will lead to strict action.
Emphasising proactive management, the government aims to maintain high standards while ensuring that developmental initiatives are not hampered due to financial or administrative issues.
Earlier, the government said that it had disbursed over Rs 9,466 crore in financial assistance to more than 32 lakh farmers affected by unseasonal and heavy rainfall in the state.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The intention is right, but the real test is implementation. Saying "no work should stop" is easy, but ground-level bureaucracy is a different beast. Hope they have a system to track these instructions.
Finally! Accountability is key. We see so many projects delayed or done shoddily. If this is followed through, it will be a big win for Gujarat's development. 👏 The focus on farmers' aid mentioned at the end is also crucial.
"Utilise the budget by March" - this often leads to rushed, last-minute spending and more poor-quality work. The directive should be to plan properly throughout the year, not just use up funds before the financial year ends.
As a civil engineer from Ahmedabad, I appreciate the focus on quality. But the problem is often with the contractors chosen and the materials used. Strict monitoring at every stage is needed, not just after complaints arise.
Promises before elections? Hope this is a genuine policy shift. The part about not stopping work due to grants is important for long-term projects like highways and water supply. Let's see it on the ground.
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