Tarun Gogoi reviews progress and utilisation of plan funds

GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today reviewed the progress and utilisation of Plan funds with ministers and senior officials of various departments.

In a marathon meeting at the Secretariat here, the Chief Minister directed the departments to expedite the process for release of funds after obtaining approval from the Planning and Development Department and sanctioning of funds by the Finance Department.

A Chief Minister's office (CMO) release quoted Gogoi as stating, "There should not be any delay in moving the files".

He directed the departments to immediately start infrastructure projects, including the storm water drainage project of Greater Guwahati, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-funded Guwahati water supply project, roads and bridges and Chandrapur-Morigaon Road.

The departments were also directed to submit utilisation certificates on time to obtain funds from the ministries.

"Timely utilisation of certificates is a must for getting the next instalment of funds. The departments must submit utilisation certificates without fail," Gogoi said.

The departmental heads were further asked to sort out any procedural and systematic problems with the Chief Secretary to streamline the process for smooth implementation of schemes and projects, the release said.

"No excuses will be tolerated for dilly-dallying things," the Chief Minister warned.

Gogoi would strictly monitor the utilisation of Plan funds by the departmental heads and would evaluate their performance by noting it down in their Annual Confidential Report (ACR), it said.

"How senior officials of the departments have utilised their Plan allocation will reflect in their ACRs," he said.