Accountability of negligent officials to be fixed; directions issued for notices and suspension action
Campaign launched to complete denting, painting and maintenance of departmental assets by December
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh conducted a high-level review meeting with the Chief Engineers (Civil and Mechanical) of the Irrigation and Water Resources Department at the department headquarters in Udayganj, Lucknow. The minister reviewed the progress of approved and ongoing projects across the state, budget utilisation, quality of work and implementation timelines.
During the meeting, the minister examined project-wise physical and financial progress, approved project costs, availability of funds, budget allocation and expenditure against the allocated amount. Expressing strong displeasure over delays in several projects, slow utilisation of funds and lack of expected progress, Singh directed officials to expedite works and ensure timely completion.
The Jal Shakti Minister made it clear that any negligence, laxity or unnecessary delay in implementing important public welfare projects would not be tolerated. He directed the department head to issue immediate notices and fix accountability of officers who fail to achieve the prescribed targets or show negligence in project execution.
Singh said that the government provides funds for projects keeping public interest and the overall development of the state in mind. Therefore, ensuring timely, transparent and effective utilisation of allocated funds is the responsibility of concerned officials. He expressed serious dissatisfaction over low expenditure compared to allocated budgets and directed that accountability of officials and executing agencies responsible for slow spending must be fixed.
He warned that negligence, indifference towards assigned responsibilities or failure to meet targets would invite strict departmental action. If required, suspension proceedings against responsible officials should also be initiated. He emphasised that no compromise would be made in development works linked with the government’s priorities.
The minister stated that delays in project execution not only affect development activities but also hinder the achievement of objectives related to public welfare. He instructed all Chief Engineers and concerned officers to ensure regular and effective monitoring of projects and resolve technical, administrative and other challenges immediately to accelerate progress.
Singh directed that every approved and under-construction project should be reviewed regularly on a project-wise basis. Setting a clear deadline for officials, he instructed them to ensure the required physical and financial progress in all projects before the next review meeting.
He further stated that the next review meeting would again assess every project individually and strict action would be taken against officers who fail to achieve the expected targets. He urged departmental officials to consider these projects not merely as administrative responsibilities but as crucial initiatives connected with public welfare, farmers’ convenience, strengthening of water resources and the overall development of Uttar Pradesh.
The minister also stressed the importance of proper maintenance of departmental assets. He directed officials to conduct surveys of irrigation department assets, including bridges, culverts, siphons and other structures, and undertake necessary repairs on priority.
He instructed that denting, painting and beautification work of all departmental assets should be completed through a special campaign by December 2026.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, Irrigation and Water Resources Department, Anil Garg; Department Head Sandeep Kumar; Chief Engineer (Projects) Ramesh Chandra Verma; Chief Engineer Awadhesh Kumar and other senior officials of the department.
