PAC reviews Chamba development projects

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly convened a crucial meeting at Bachat Bhawan, Chamba, under the chairmanship of Anil Sharma, to review the status of pending audit paras and the implementation of government schemes across departments in the district. Committee members Dr Hans Raj, Jeet Ram Katwal, Inder Singh, Dr Janak Raj, Malender Rajan and Captain Ranjit Singh Rana were present for the deliberations. Chamba MLA Neeraj Nayar also attended the meeting. The session focused on departmental accountability, financial discipline and the performance of ongoing projects. During the meeting, the PAC chairman instructed departmental heads to ensure the judicious use of public funds, emphasising that Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) must be prepared with careful consideration of feasibility, necessity and long-term impact. He stressed the importance of maintaining quality standards in construction and development work, so that the benefits of public schemes can reach people effectively and for a sustained period. Jeet Ram Katwal, a committee member, asked the district administration and Urban Development Department to expedite the site selection process for the proposed solid waste management plant, treating it as a priority. Dr Hans Raj recommended the relocation of the Bairagarh police check-post to Satrundi during the summer season to enhance security for both tourists and locals in this inter-state border region. The PAC chairman also asked the officials of the Electricity Department to present a report on the steps previously taken to reduce power losses and the measurable achievements in that direction. Panel orders audit of funds linked to Bharmour works The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly has ordered a special audit of the Local Area Development Authority (LADA) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding linked to various hydropower projects operating in the Bharmour Assembly segment. As per the committee’s directive, the office of the Accountant General has been instructed to carry out this special audit. The review aims to verify whether the funds received from hydropower projects have been properly utilised and whether they have genuinely contributed to the region’s development or not. Bharmour MLA Dr Janak Raj, who raised the matter with the PAC, emphasised that despite several hydropower projects being active in his constituency for years, local representatives and panchayat institutions have often been side-lined in the decision-making process. He asserted that the use of LADA and CSR funds should have reflected local priorities and needs, but in many instances, panchayats, BDCs and other grassroots representatives were deliberately excluded. Dr Janak Raj alleged that companies operating the hydropower projects have repeatedly evaded their social responsibilities.