National PMG presents model for early establishment in Jammu & Kashmir
SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 11: Jammu & Kashmir is set to establish a dedicated Project Monitoring Group (JK-PMG) on the lines of the National Project Monitoring Group (PMG) to facilitate high-level monitoring of mega developmental projects and coordinated resolution of bottlenecks affecting their execution.
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.
The proposed JK-PMG is aimed at strengthening project oversight, improving inter-departmental coordination and enabling timely intervention in matters related to land acquisition, statutory clearances, construction approvals and other implementation-related issues.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Secretary stressed the need to leverage technology to move from periodic status reporting to real-time, milestone-based project monitoring.
“We should leverage technology to move from periodic status reporting to real-time, milestone-based project monitoring,” Dulloo said, expressing hope that the digital platform would enable the administration to track progress, identify critical gaps and take informed decisions based on reliable data.
He said a clearly defined escalation framework would ensure that issues are addressed at the level where they can be resolved, while matters requiring higher-level intervention are brought up without unnecessary delay.
“This will strengthen both administrative responsiveness and project accountability,” he observed.
Dulloo also asked the National PMG team to conduct additional capacity-building sessions for local stakeholders so that officers and officials are fully conversant with the system, workflow and escalation mechanism and are adequately equipped to take over its operations in Jammu & Kashmir.
National PMG currently monitors 61 J&K projects
Commissioner Secretary, Planning Development and Monitoring Department (PD&MD), R. Alice Vaz, said the National PMG currently monitors 61 projects in Jammu & Kashmir involving investments of ₹3.91 lakh crore.
She said 130 active issues related to these projects are currently under review through the National PMG portal.
Vaz said the proposed JK-PMG would function under the overall supervision of the Chief Secretary, with a dedicated team of project experts and a designated administrative department responsible for day-to-day operations and coordination.
The group would 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.
Fortnightly, monthly reviews proposed
The proposed framework envisages a structured review mechanism comprising fortnightly departmental-level reviews by Administrative Secretaries and Heads of Departments, followed by monthly reviews chaired by the Chief Secretary.
Issues requiring consideration at the highest level would be reviewed by the Chief Minister.
The graduated mechanism is intended to ensure that project-related issues are examined at the appropriate level and escalated wherever necessary.
The National PMG team also demonstrated the proposed digital system, which would use a digitised, cost-free portal with automated reporting and analytical capabilities.
Under the envisaged workflow, project proponents would register projects and identify bottlenecks, while sponsoring departments would verify the issues. The concerned district administration or departments would then undertake action for their resolution.
Critical unresolved matters would be escalated to higher forums involving the concerned stakeholders for timely resolution.
Sensitisation workshop held
Later, the National PMG team conducted a sensitisation workshop for officers and officials of the Planning Department and other concerned stakeholders.
The workshop covered the working and institutional architecture of the proposed JK-PMG, besides explaining its digital workflow and escalation mechanism.
It also focused on the roles of different stakeholders in identifying, tracking and resolving project-related bottlenecks and developing a common understanding of the operational processes required for the smooth implementation of the mechanism in Jammu & Kashmir.
