Must All Implementing Agencies Ensure 100% Fund Utilisation?

Mumbai, May 30 (NationPress) Mumbai Suburban District Guardian Minister and city BJP President, Ashish Shelar, emphasized the necessity for all implementing agencies to achieve 100% fund utilization for the benefit of the citizens.

During the District Planning Committee meeting, Minister Shelar highlighted the critical need for complete utilization of funds designated for tribal development schemes.

He brought attention to the state government's initiative to carry out a tribal population census, asserting that precise data will facilitate more efficient and focused planning.

He instructed the creation of a thorough blueprint to ensure that essential civic facilities reach tribal communities.

Furthermore, he urged officials from the police, public works, and the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to take the issues raised by elected representatives seriously and act swiftly to address them.

"The District Planning Committee is an essential forum for promoting public welfare, where each concern reflects the people's needs. It is the responsibility of all implementing agencies to guarantee that government funds are fully and effectively utilized for the public good. Therefore, department heads must ensure the complete usage of allocated funds. Officers should promptly address the issues raised by public representatives during the meeting," stated Minister Shelar.

Minister Shelar also stressed the urgent need to redevelop aged and deteriorating buildings in the district, mentioning that the state government has introduced a policy to provide monthly rent assistance of Rs 20,000 to residents of such properties.

This initiative aims to facilitate a smoother transition and expedite redevelopment efforts, he added.

He announced that mass nets would be installed in areas vulnerable to landslides, with the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) overseeing sites where wall heights are below nine meters and the Public Works Department managing taller structures.

He urged all departments to provide clear and satisfactory responses to inquiries raised during the meeting, ensuring the timely resolution of all outstanding issues.

Compliance reports must be accurate, shared promptly with committee members, and officials must respond swiftly and decisively to every highlighted matter, the Minister stated.

During the meeting, the committee approved a total allocation of Rs 1,088 crore, as mentioned by the Minister.

He also revealed the endorsement of the Force One training center at Kalina.

A resolution proposed by BJP legislator Pravin Darekar was unanimously accepted to exclude the newly designated forest area of Ketkipada and adjacent settlements from the buffer zone of Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

This decision aims to facilitate the in-situ rehabilitation of over 80,000 residents who have been deprived of basic civic amenities.

The issue will now be pursued with both state and central authorities and addressed through legal avenues.

The committee members also brought attention to several pressing issues, including the growing drug problem, women's safety, the construction of bridges and footpaths, road maintenance, nullah cleaning, tribal welfare, and the provision of essential services to residents living on forest land.