Bhubaneswar: A review meeting of the Water Resources Department was held under the chairmanship of Principal Secretary Shubha Sarma at the department’s conference hall. The meeting focused on accelerating ongoing developmental works, ensuring effective utilization of the budget, and timely implementation of projects.
During the meeting, directions were issued to controlling officers to speed up the execution of capital expenditure works, major irrigation projects, drainage schemes, dams, barrages, and canal projects.
Officials were instructed to ensure early finalization of tenders and issuance of work orders, quick disposal of pending approvals and Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) proposals, preparation of realistic cost estimates, and effective utilization of the budget within the current financial year.
It was stressed that departmental expenditure should not remain limited to achieving financial targets but must be outcome-oriented.
Priority was given to the timely completion of ongoing projects, creation of irrigation potential, strengthening of water resources infrastructure, and ensuring that the intended benefits of the projects reach the people. Coordinated efforts were also advised for the optimal and productive utilization of available financial resources.
Besides, a presentation was made on the PM Gati Shakti portal during the meeting. Discussions were also held on strengthening the water tax collection system and improving the BAMIS portal (Budget Allocation and Monitoring Information System) portal. Officers were directed to take necessary steps for the effective use of the PM Gati Shakti platform, increase in water tax collection, and better monitoring and management of departmental works through further improvement of the BAMIS portal. Odisha’s nomination for the National Water Awards was also discussed in the meeting.
Among those present were Engineer-in-Chief of the department Dillip Kumar Rout, Director of Rehabilitation and Resettlement Ashok Kumar Behera, other senior officers, Chief Engineers, and staff members.
