Srinagar, Oct 28 (KNS): Secretary, Rural Development Department and Panchayati Raj, Ramesh Kumar, on Wednesday pulled up officers over delays in executing sanitation projects across Kashmir, saying the creation of infrastructure alone would serve little purpose unless facilities were functional and delivered tangible benefits to rural communities.
Chairing a district-wise review of the Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G), Kumar directed officers to intensify field inspections, expedite pending works and ensure that public funds translate into cleaner villages and improved waste management services.
The review covered Community Sanitary Complexes, Community Compost Pits, Community Soak Pits, Segregation Sheds, Plastic Waste Management Units, Decentralised Wastewater Treatment Systems (DEWATS), Faecal Sludge Treatment Plants (FSTPs) and GOBARdhan biogas plants.
Taking serious note of delays in initiating works on Community Sanitary Complexes, the Secretary questioned why preliminary requirements, including land identification and tendering, had not been completed in advance despite the targets being linked to the financial year.
When officers cited land-related difficulties and the need to identify alternative sites, Kumar said such issues should have been anticipated and resolved during the planning stage rather than being raised later to explain delays.
He stressed that district-level officers could not attribute slow implementation solely to funding constraints or government procedures, pointing out that timely submission of proposals, completion of formalities and regular monitoring were equally their responsibility.
The Secretary sought a detailed account of projects for which funds had been allocated, works taken up for execution and those completed so far.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
He directed officers to strengthen accountability at every stage, from planning and financial approvals to execution and operational readiness.
Kumar said the department needed to move beyond reporting the number of assets created and focus on whether sanitation facilities were actually accessible, operational and meeting the needs of rural residents.
He also called for regular field visits to identify deficiencies and ensure their timely rectification.
The meeting discussed operational problems involving sanitation vehicles, faecal sludge treatment infrastructure, electrical components and other essential facilities. Kumar directed officers to resolve these issues in coordination with the departments concerned and constitute dedicated teams wherever necessary.
The review also brought to light difficulties in securing suitable land for FSTPs, DEWATS and GOBARdhan biogas plants.
Inadequate technical training, limited capacity-building support and the absence of dedicated personnel at district, block and Gram Panchayat levels were identified as additional obstacles affecting implementation and monitoring.
The Secretary called for improved technical support, stronger interdepartmental coordination and closer supervision to address these shortcomings.
He maintained that the success of the sanitation programme must ultimately be measured by improvements visible in villages rather than expenditure or the mere completion of construction works.
The meeting was attended by Director Finance Umar Khan, Joint Director Planning Kamal Kumar Sharma, Deputy Director Rural Sanitation Kashmir Shabir Ahmed Hakak, Assistant Commissioners Panchayats and Executive Engineers of the Rural Engineering Wing from across Kashmir Division. (KNS)