ITANAGAR, Jul 3: Chief Secretary Satya Gopal during a video conference on Tuesday with the DCs of the districts with international borders asked them to ensure work quality and durability.
The video conference was held with regard to the implementation of the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) in the state.
The CS took stock of the status and progress of the BADP, and advised the DCs to spend the funds “on assets which would last for years.”
Fifteen DCs, including those of Lower Dibang Valley, Kurung Kumey, Dibang Valley, Longding, Tawang, West Kameng, Anjaw, East Kameng, Upper Subansiri, West Siang, Siang, and Changlang districts took part in the conference.
The CS emphasized on quality monitoring and assessment of all the ongoing projects under the BADP. He stressed on time-bound submission of utilization certificates (UCs), and encouraged proper documentation of all the projects.
“Maintain before and after photographs of projects to give a clear picture of the development of that area or project,” he suggested.
Gopal also suggested that the DCs should come out with audio-visual documentation “to support and showcase the area of remarkable achievement brought after the implementation of BADP in their respective districts.”
He also took stock of the status of implementation of the model villages under the BADP.
He said the model villages should include facilities such as road connectivity, water supply, education, sports activities, social infrastructure, health, power, agriculture, etc.
The CS reviewed the status of the availability of basic infrastructure in the villages falling within 0-10 km from the international border; identification of critical gaps in the essential infrastructure in the border areas; status of third-party inspections; consultation with border guarding forces and MPs/MLAs while preparing the annual action plan under the BADP, etc.
The matter of migration of population from border areas to nearby towns was also discussed in the meeting.
The CS asked the DCs to give their suggestions to further improve the implementation of the BADP schemes in their areas in writing.
Among others, the PHED&WS commissioner, the finance secretary, the education secretary, the health & family welfare special secretary, and the PHE chief engineer also attended the conference. (PRO, CS)