Dhumal for ending regional imbalance

He expressed satisfaction over the state taking number one position in implementation of 20-point programme in the country but pulled-up rural integration department (RID) for unsatisfactory working. The department of education also came under attack from Dhumal for opening up a large number of schools without budgetary provisions, which he said, had created havoc with the planning process.

Dhumal declared that the government was dedicated to speedy and balanced development of all the regions of the state. He stressed that special attention would be paid to the underdeveloped regions.

He was upset over the shortfall in outlays for certain sectors, like agriculture, on special purpose grants and upgradation grants of the tenth finance commission as very little time was now left for implementation. Non-utilization of those provisions would not only mean poor implementation capabilities but would also adversely affect the plan size over the award period, he added. The CM said that certain areas had been given disproportionately high investment, whereas others had been given to paltry resource allocations. This imbalance should be remedied at once, he said stressing the need for administrative restructuring and rationalisation, Dhumal said that certain activities like irrigation and soil and water management deserve greater attention. He said that efforts should be made to enhance staff productivity rather than unabated cadre expansions. He said that where additional staff was necessary, it should be provided.

The meeting was attended by the cabinet ministers, ministers of state, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Parliamentary Secretary, vice-chancellors of horticulture and agriculture universities and all secretaries and heads of departments.