Srinagar, Sep 11 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir is set to establish a dedicated Project Monitoring Group (JK-PMG) on the lines of the National Project Monitoring Group (PMG) to ensure high-level monitoring of mega development projects and facilitate timely resolution of bottlenecks, officials said.
The institutional framework for replicating the national mechanism in the Union Territory was presented before Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo by representatives of the National PMG here, an official statement said.
The proposed JK-PMG will strengthen project oversight and inter-departmental coordination while facilitating timely intervention in matters related to land acquisition, statutory clearances, construction approvals and other implementation issues, it said.
Dulloo stressed the need to leverage technology to move from periodic status reporting to real-time and milestone-based monitoring of projects.
He said a comprehensive digital platform would enable authorities to track progress, identify critical gaps and take informed decisions based on reliable data.
The Chief Secretary also emphasised the need for a clearly defined escalation mechanism so that issues are resolved at the appropriate level, while matters requiring higher-level intervention are referred without delay.
He asked the National PMG team to conduct additional capacity-building sessions for local stakeholders to familiarise them with the system, workflow and escalation mechanism and equip them to efficiently take over its operations in J&K.
Commissioner Secretary, Planning Development and Monitoring Department, R Alice Vaz said the National PMG currently monitors 61 projects in J&K involving investments of Rs 3.91 lakh crore.
There are 130 active issues related to these projects currently under review through the National PMG portal, she said.
The proposed JK-PMG will function under the overall supervision of the Chief Secretary, with a dedicated team of project experts and a designated administrative department responsible for its day-to-day operations and coordination, according to the statement.
The group will monitor identified mega and strategically important projects, track milestones and pending approvals, facilitate coordination among executing agencies and district administrations, and escalate unresolved issues for appropriate intervention.
The framework envisages fortnightly departmental-level reviews by administrative secretaries and heads of departments, followed by monthly reviews chaired by the Chief Secretary.
Matters requiring consideration at the highest level will be reviewed by the Chief Minister, the statement said.
The proposed JK-PMG will use a digitised, cost-free portal equipped with automated reporting and analytical capabilities.
Under the envisaged workflow, project proponents will register projects and bottlenecks, while sponsoring departments will verify the issues. The concerned district administrations and departments will then take action for their resolution.
Critical unresolved matters will be escalated to higher forums involving the concerned stakeholders for expeditious resolution, it said.
Later, the National PMG team conducted a sensitisation workshop for officers and officials of the Planning Department and other stakeholders, apprising them of the proposed group’s institutional architecture, digital workflow and escalation mechanism.
The workshop focused on the roles of various stakeholders in identifying, tracking and resolving project-related bottlenecks and facilitating a common understanding of the operational processes required for implementing the JK-PMG in the Union Territory.—(NVI)
