Powers decentralised to speed up irrigation projects: Water Resources Minister

Thirty-two projects that needed revised approvals were given the go-ahead.

Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan on Saturday said he had empowered chief executive engineers to issue work orders for irrigation projects in their respective regions as part of the efforts to decentralise decision-making.

The empowerment of executive directors, and chief executive engineers in their respective corporations (mahamandal), he said, is a departure from the past.

[related-post]

According to Mahajan, “The decentralisation…is to expedite decision-making and work execution at ground levels.” He said, “Earlier, the minister held all the powers. For every work, a file would make rounds through 15 desks. It would cause major delays.”

Story continues below this ad

Mahajan said, “My role is in policy making and monitoring execution. Once officials have been empowered, they have to display merit and accountability.”

On Saturday, he reviewed 404 projects across the state. All the 32 irrigation projects that required revised administrative approvals were given the go-ahead. He shortlisted projects stuck for want of land and asked officials to begin land acquisition and rehabilitation of project affected people in accordance with new laws. Noting that vacancies at the level of section engineers and junior engineers were causing problems, he ordered filling up of all posts.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram