CM nod to social audit of engineering projects

December 27 2019

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Thursday gave the go-ahead for social audit of engineering projects in the state as part of his government’s efforts to bring in greater efficiency and transparency in the implementation of various projects.

Giving his approval to a proposal of the Vigilance Bureau in this regard, the Chief Minister said the move would contribute further in eliminating corruption from the project implementation process.

Writes to PM for inclusion in Atal scheme 

The CM on Thursday wrote to the Prime Minister seeking Punjab’s inclusion in the Atal Bhujal Yojana for conservation of groundwater resources.

He pointed out that 20 of the 22 districts were facing serious depletion of groundwater.

He said over three-fourth of the blocks in the state were declared water-stressed, including some as critical, as per a recent report of the Central Groundwater Board.

“An informed citizenry is critical to ensuring transparency in work execution as well as in reducing avenues that can be used to indulge in corrupt practices,” said the Chief Minister.

“As part of the Vigilance Bureau proposal, citizen information boards containing important particulars regarding on-going or future work of the government will be put up at work sites for information of citizens/tax payers,” said an official spokesperson, giving details of the social audit scheme. Additionally, it will be mandatory for the department concerned to post this information on their website under this preventive vigilance scheme.

In addition to engineering works, a few other boards of non-engineering nature have also been approved.

Various departments to be covered under the scheme are PWD B&R, Punjab Mandi Board, PUDA, Urban Local Bodies, Panchayati Raj, PSIEC, Irrigation (Water Resources Department), Punjab Police Housing Corporation, Punjab Health System Corporation, Punjab School Education Board, Punjab Water Supply and Sanitation Department.

The Sewerage Board, Soil Conservation Department, Punjab Water Resources Management and Development Corporation, PSPCL/PSTCL, Punjab Health Department, Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, Pungrain, Punsup, PSWC and Markfed are also part of the scheme.

 

This news has not been edited by Apni Kheti staff but has been published by various news feeds

Source: Tribune India