Parliamentary Affairs, IPR and Printing Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Bamang Felix on Tuesday convened a review meeting of the Rural Works Department after taking over as RWD Minister.
The purpose of the meeting here was to get comprehensive knowledge about the department’s activities besides getting to know the officers.
Felix took stock of all projects being executed by the department across the State. He drove home the point that RWD is entrusted with the daunting task of rural connectivity, which is not easy due to the difficult terrains of the State but not ‘impossible’.
He said with difficulties and challenges comes huge responsibility and RWD, as one of the most important organs of the Government, has to fulfil the responsibility and live up to the expectations of the rural populace.
“RWD not only has the onerous responsibility of implementing the all-important Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) but also provide connectivity to habitations where PMGSY is not feasible or eligible,” Felix said.
Drawing out a roadmap, the RWD minister said he has set a vision for the department to provide connectivity to all the habitations of the State, which do not fulfill the eligibility criteria of PMGSY, by 2022.
“Let’s collectively set a target that when the country celebrates its 75th year of independence in 2022 each and every habitation, big or small, under PMGSY or otherwise, across our State is connected by road,” he said.
For this to happen, Felix urged upon the departmental officials to work as a team with sincerity. He directed the chief engineers to work on the roadmap and draw a comprehensive plan for three years (till 2021-22) for cent-per cent rural connectivity.
The minister also emphasised on the use of new methodology and technology for road construction in tandem with the geographical and geological conditions of the terrains. Admitting that he is not technically qualified to give specific reasons, he pointed out that due to lack of the right technology several roads and bridges constructed earlier couldn’t last as expected.
On behalf of the State Government, he assured of full cooperation while underscoring that RWD should emerge as the best performing work department of the state.
“The officers and officials will be given complete freedom to discharge their duties and at the same time they will be also held accountable. All officers should instil a sense of service to the people for the department to achieve a clean and sincere image,” he said.
In order to monitor and assure timely execution of works, Felix said he would be taking a review meeting every two months. Further, he directed that a review meeting at the SE level for the work circles should be mandatorily held every month.
RWD Parliamentary Secretary Jambey Tashi too assured full support and guidance to the department in timely execution of works without compromising with quality. He advised the officers to pay frequent visit to work-sites, get regular feedback and monitor progress for effective implementation of all centrally and state sponsored schemes. He also asserted that complete and sincere involvement of officers in projects under them only will result in successful and timely execution of work projects.
Earlier, RWD Secretary-cum-CEO, ARRDA briefed about the physical progress, current profile and hindrances faced by the department in implementation of PMGSY projects.
Resident Technical Advisor, KC Dhimole, presented detailed statistics of PMGSY projects through a power-point presentation elaborating issues and follow-up measures. Eastern and Western Zone chief engineers, in their respective presentations, outlined major activities of the department and sought guidance from the minister.
Among others, the meeting was attended by superintendent engineers, executive engineers and other departmental officials.