Pulwama, October 13, 2025 : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday chaired a comprehensive review meeting in District Pulwama to assess the progress of development works and the implementation of various government schemes.
During his maiden district review meeting, the Chief Minister emphasized the need for speedy execution of projects and optimal utilization of funds under both District Capex and Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS).
“I thank the DDC Chairman and MLAs for their valuable suggestions. I’ve given several on-spot directions, but my overarching request is — please focus more on execution. There’s significant scope for improvement,” Omar Abdullah said.
Expressing concern over the low expenditure levels against approved outlays, he urged departments to step up efforts for timely fund utilization, warning that delays could lead to the withholding of future instalments under schemes such as the SASCI programme.
“If we fail to utilize the first instalment under SASCI by December, it will be a major setback,” he cautioned.
The Chief Minister directed the Deputy Commissioner Pulwama to ensure regular monitoring of all approved projects and immediate corrective action wherever delays occur.
He also highlighted the resumption of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for MLAs but urged that “a lot more needs to be done” to improve expenditure outcomes and project delivery.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Ministers Sakina Itoo, Javed Rana, Javid Dar, Satish Sharma, Chairman DDC Pulwama Abdul Bari Andrabi, and MLAs Justice (Retd.) Hasnain Masoodi (Pampore), Ghulam Mohiuddin Mir (Rajpora), Waheed-ur-Rehman Para (Pulwama), and Rafiq Ahmad Naik (Tral). Senior officers including Additional Chief Secretary to CM Dheeraj Gupta, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, and Deputy Commissioner Pulwama Dr. Basharat Qayoom were also present.
Earlier, DC Pulwama Dr. Basharat Qayoom presented a detailed review of the District Capex Budget 2024-25, CSS 2024-25, and the physical and financial achievements under Capex 2025-26, CDF, and MPLADS. His presentation covered performance across key sectors including Public Works, PMGSY, PMAY(G), Urban Development, Jal Shakti, Irrigation & Flood Control, Agriculture, Power, Education, and Social Welfare.
MLAs and DDC members raised multiple public issues related to irrigation, flood mitigation, water scarcity, town beautification, illegal mining, health and education infrastructure, and the completion of Rajpora Degree College.
Taking serious note of illegal mining, the Chief Minister directed officials to act decisively.
“If complaints are being received, action must be taken immediately. Whatever has to be done to stop illegal mining should be done,” he asserted.
Omar Abdullah also expressed concern over the lack of toilets in schools, especially for girls, and directed MLAs to allocate funds from their CDF for this purpose, stressing that basic facilities are essential to reducing dropout rates.
Concluding the review, the Chief Minister urged all departments to expedite ongoing works and meet deadlines.
On the occasion, Omar Abdullah also laid the foundation stone (virtually) of a new Shopping Complex at Pampore, marking another step toward boosting local development and economic activity in the district.
