Finish all ongoing rural infrastructure projects by March 2015: Tarun Gogoi

GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today asked concerned ministers and officials to complete all the ongoing rural infrastructure projects by March 2015.

Gogoi today reviewed different projects under NABARD assisted Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) and asked the ministers and officials of the concerned departments to complete the ongoing projects by March 2015, according to release by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).

"Rural infrastructure projects, which have been started, must not remain incomplete for want of resources. The ongoing rural infrastructure projects have to be completed on time to generate potential income and employment to rural population," he said.

Gogoi also underscored the need for making a realistic assessment of the potential created for generation of income and employment in rural areas.

The Chief Minister directed the officials to prepare new list of "innovative projects" and submit them for availing NABARD assistance.

"Identify new investment opportunities complementary and supplementary that will fuel rural prosperity," Gogoi added.

He stressed on systematic and sustained monitoring of the projects sanctioned under RIDF with a view to ensuring smooth implementation of projects.

"Regular field visits are a must to monitor the progress of projects and to discuss the problems with the field level functionaries," he added.

Gogoi asked the Department of Agriculture to go in for firm mechanisation in a big way and underlined the need for taking up minor irrigation projects in the state.

In the meeting, the Chief Minister reviewed different RIDF projects undertaken by PWD, Water Resources, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Fisheries, Cooperation and Irrigation departments.