VIJAY GOEL TAKES OVER AS MOS STATISTICS & PROGRAMME
IMPLEMENTATION
In order to provide fillip
to the Prime Minister’s vision of economic development, social
justice and effective implementation and monitoring of various
projects, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office,
Shri Vijay Goel took additional charge of the Ministry of Statistics
and Programme Implementation.
After assuming the charge,
Shri Goel emphasised the need of timely execution of the identified
projects to avoid cost overruns. He stated that he would like
to fulfill the expectations of the Prime Minister by making effective
intervention and fixing accountability for achieving the purpose
of timely completion of projects. The money spent on these projects
are by the people for their welfare and it must be spent judiciously
and with proper accountability.
Till March 2002, Ministry
of Statistics and Programme Implementation is monitoring 458 projects
for the country. Most of the projects are related to the strengthening
of infrastructure sector. Their delayed completion, not only increases
the overall cost, it also neutralises many of the intended benefits
and impedes the economic growth. The estimated cost of the projects
at hand is Rs. 2,04,278 crore. Till March 2002, an expenditure
of Rs. 61,279 crore have already been made. Out of them, 154 projects
have been delayed by 1 to 204 months. The cost overrun of 288
projects has been escalated by 70.3 per cent from their approved
initial cost.
Minister of State expressed
his concern about such delays and desired to have a comprehensive
look into the implementation part. Shri K.K. Jaswal, Secretary,
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, was present,
along with other officials of the ministry on the occasion.
