Manpreet Singh Badal, Finance & Planning Minister, Punjab held a meeting with the Deputy Economic & Statistical Advisor who act as Additional Members Secretaries of District Planning & Development Boards in the State to review the progress of development works. Raj Kumar Khurana, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Finance was also present in the meeting.

Under the Punjab Nirman Programme a sum of Rs. 1092.76 crore was sanctioned but Rs. 1086.73 crore actually released out of which Rs. 793.56 crore (being 73%) has been utilized till 31-03-2007. It was found that a sum of Rs. 293.17 crore remains un-utilized out of which 76.60 crore has been deposited back in the Treasury leaving Rs. 216.57 crore in the hand of various executive agencies in the State. The Finance Minister desired that all pending works should be completed within one month and utilization certificates (UCs)to be submitted to the Government by 31st May 2007. He directed the officers to send latest reports about the progress of works within a week, and deposit the funds in the Treasury where the works have not been started so far. The District Planning & Development Boards may re-prioritize the works, if required and send requirement of funds for completion of ongoing works.

As regards Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme, 91% of the funds have been utilized which was adjudged satisfactory. Second installment of Rs. one crore each in the case of 7 MPs is still due from Government of India, for the reason that unspent balance with the Deputy Commissioners is more that Rs. one crore each. The Minister desired that there should not be undue delay in the execution of the development works and all UCs should be furnished well in time so that there is free flow of funds under this scheme.

The Minister suggested that the progress of Punjab Nirman Programme and MPLAD Scheme should be reviewed in all meetings held by the Chief Secretary with the Deputy Commissioners. The progress under the Border Area Development Programme and Rashtriya SAM Vikas Yojana going on in district Hoshiarpur as also other activities of the Economic & Statistical Organisation were also reviewed during the meeting. Out of the 132 posts of direct quota would be filled up each year during the next 5 years. He exhorted the officers to put in their best in the working of the department.