Reviewing total 265 projects, PM Modi interacts through PRAGATI

New Delhi, November 7: Reviewing a total of 265 projects with a total investment of Rs. 12.15 lakh crore, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 31st interaction through PRAGATI — the ICT based multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation on Wednesday.

The PRAGATI meeting witnessed a review of 9 projects worth over Rs. 61,000 crores related to 16 states and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. Grievances of Indian citizens working abroad along with subjects like the National Agriculture Market and Aspirational District Programme were also discussed.

Fulfilling Aspirations

Reviewing the progress of the Aspirational District Programme, Prime Minister was informed about the dashboard based on 49 performance indicators. Even slow-moving indicators like the status of nutrition have shown tremendous progress. It was also noted that some districts of Uttar Pradesh have shown impressive growth.

Calling it an act of national service, Prime Minister laid stress on the importance of focussing on education and healthcare of tribal children. He emphasized on the need to decide on timelines to bring the backward districts up to the national average. He also stressed that young officers must be deployed in Aspirational Districts.

Agriculture & Allied Activities

Prime Minister was informed about the progress in the National Agriculture Market platform which has helped in better price discovery. E-payments are now being made directly into the account of farmers. Progress in the development of two integrated e-Mandis in Jammu & Kashmir was also reviewed.

Prime Minister directed that based on e-models of demand aggregation, the Ministry of Road, Transport & Highways and Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare should work together on a new start-up model of logistics support, particularly with regard to the transfer of agricultural products from one state to another. He said that all the states must come together and use a common, integrated platform for smooth operation.

On the issue of stubble burning, Prime Minister directed Agriculture Ministry to give priority to the farmers of the states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana in the distribution of equipment to prevent such occurrences.

Developing Infrastructure Connectivity

Prime Minister reviewed the progress of infrastructure connectivity projects including Katra-Banihal Railway Line. He gave explicit instructions on speedy completion of the project by next year.

Several projects in the north-east like the widening and upgradation of the Aizawl-Tuipang highway project was also discussed. To provide faster and safer connectivity between Delhi and Meerut, Prime Minister said that Delhi-Meerut Expressway should be completed by the revised timeline of May 2020.

Prime Minister desired that long-delayed projects should be expedited by the respective state governments. He directed that regular reports on the progress of such projects be sent to his office.

Meeting Energy Demand

On the renewable energy front, Prime Minister chaired discussions about the creation of an intra-state transmission system in 8 renewable energy-rich states viz. Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh. He enquired about difficulties being faced by solar and wind power companies in starting new projects, including in the land acquisition process.

Prime Minister congratulated the state governments of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh for progress made in the timely completion of the project related to the strengthening of transmission system beyond Vemagiri.