Mail News Service
Ranchi: Chief Secretary Alka Tiwari has directed state officials to expedite the implementation of various development schemes supported by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). She emphasized that timely completion of these schemes is crucial to fully utilizing the benefits of NABARD loans. Chairing a meeting of the High Power Committee on Thursday, Tiwari reviewed projects under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) and other NABARD-supported schemes. She expressed concern over slow-moving projects, urging officials to focus on those that can be completed on schedule. Discussions also covered the funding gaps arising from the withdrawal of approved loans against ongoing projects and deliberations on potential schemes for the financial year 2025-26.
During the review, officials presented financial updates on the ongoing projects. For the financial year 2024-25, a total of Rs 1,839.39 crore in loans has been approved or is in process for the implementation of 500 schemes across various departments, amounting to Rs 2,921.79 crore. Key approvals include Rs 976.96 crore for 18 drinking water projects worth Rs 1,137.53 crore under the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department, Rs 308 crore for the Palamu Lift Irrigation Project (Rs 365.30 crore) under the Water Resources Department, Rs 461.53 crore for the Pirtand Megalift Irrigation Project (Rs 511.36 crore) and Rs 92.85 crore for the construction of 369 warehouses and marketing centers under the Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperative Department (total cost: Rs 103.66 crore). Additionally, the Rural Works Department has proposed a Rs 803.94 crore rural bridge construction plan, with Rs 271.35 crore under process for 124 bridges.
Progress reports indicated that, in 2024-25, the Road Construction Department has completed 22 out of 34 projects worth Rs 1,088.36 crore, with 12 nearing completion. Similarly, four major irrigation projects under the Water Resources Department (Rs 2,873 crore) are close to completion. The Rural Development Department also demonstrated significant progress in projects worth Rs 380 crore. The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Principal Secretary of Health Ajay Kumar, Principal Secretary of Road Construction Sunil Kumar, Agriculture Secretary Abu Wakkar Siddiqui, Rural Development Secretary K. Srinivasan and representatives from NABARD.
