Punjab: Ensure timely utilisation of funds for swift development, says FM Harpal Cheema

Chandigarh: Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema has directed all the departments to ensure timely utilisation of the funds provided for various development projects and welfare schemes so that the state's overall welfare Development can be accelerated. He said that the issue of unutilized funds due to slow pace of development works or delay in delivery of welfare schemes would be seriously considered.

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The Finance Minister gave these instructions during a departmental review meeting with the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Local Government, Transport and Water Resources at the Finance and Planning Bhawan. The Finance Minister reviewed the budgetary provisions and the current status of funds provided to these departments under various state and central sponsored schemes.

Harpal Singh Cheema, during a series of high-level meetings attended by senior officials of the Finance Department, asked the heads of departments to ensure regular review of all ongoing projects. The Finance Minister reiterated that no stone will be left unturned for the rapid development of the state and providing better facilities to the people.

Finance Minister Cheema said that it has come to his notice that most of the departments have improved their functioning, which has increased the speed of development works and utilization of funds, while the performance of some departments is not satisfactory and they have Funds worth crores of rupees are waiting for their rightful use. He said that the finance department will keep a close eye on all the departments and he will personally study the improvement in their performance by holding monthly review meetings of the major departments.

The Finance Minister has directed the departments to provide details of all active bank accounts and funds to the EDMS to ensure transparency and fairness in public finance arrangements.

 

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-PTC News