Chandigarh, April 15: Punjab Finance and Planning Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday issued a firm directive to Deputy Commissioners to complete all first-phase development works under the Rangla Punjab Vikas Scheme by May 15, 2026. During a high-level review meeting, the Minister affirmed that the state government has allocated ample funds for the initiative and has already released the budget for the second phase.
To maintain the integrity of the projects, Cheema ordered departmental officers to conduct regular field inspections. He stated that these visits are essential to monitor the ground-level progress and ensure that the quality of construction meets established standards. The Minister maintained that while the government has provided robust financial backing, the responsibility for efficient and timely execution lies with the district administrations.
“This measure aims to closely monitor both the quality and the pace of the ongoing development initiatives on the ground,” Cheema stated. For larger infrastructure projects that cannot meet the mid-May deadline, he directed officials to submit revised timelines immediately to ensure they are finished at the earliest possible date.
Chief Secretary KAP Sinha also addressed the meeting, instructing the appointment of district nodal officers to handle digital accountability. He asserted that these officers must provide real-time updates on the Rangla Punjab Portal. To facilitate this, the National Informatics Centre will conduct specialized training sessions for personnel to ensure the progress tracking system remains accurate and transparent across all districts.
