Accountability in focus: PAC reviews development works in Pangi

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha convened a meeting in Killar, Pangi (Chamba district), to review key development projects in the remote tribal valley.

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The meeting was chaired by PAC Chairman Anil Sharma and attended by committee members Kewal Singh Pathania, Dr Hans Raj, Jeet Ram Katwal, Inder Singh, Dr Janak Raj, Malender Rajan and Capt Ranjeet Singh. The committee reviewed pending audit paras and examined the progress of various development works being undertaken by different departments.

During the meeting, the PAC instructed departments to submit a detailed report within a month on government buildings that have been constructed but are currently lying unused. It also directed officials concerned to furnish a comprehensive report on the total expenditure incurred on the Sach Pass project.

Explanations were sought from key departments — including Forest, Health, Jal Shakti and Education — regarding unresolved audit issues. Chairman Anil Sharma underlined the unique challenges faced by Pangi valley, calling it the most remote region of the state. He stressed the urgent need for better electricity supply, improved road connectivity and strengthened education infrastructure. Sharma assured the committee would raise these concerns with the state government for timely redressal.

He added that serious attention would be paid to deficiencies identified during the review and asked officials to ensure that funds allocated under development schemes are fully utilised within the stipulated time. Sharma further instructed that any project over 80 per cent complete should be brought to the government’s attention through the respective local MLAs to expedite completion.

Earlier, Officiating Residential Commissioner of Pangi, Raman Gharsangi, welcomed the committee members and assured them that all directions and recommendations from the meeting would be implemented in letter and spirit.

Before the meeting, the committee members visited the Mindhal Mata Temple and Siddh Baba Temple, where they offered prayers for the well-being and prosperity of the valley and the state.