In a strategic push for rural development, Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Secretary S.P. Goyal led the fifth High Power Committee meeting in Lucknow on Monday, meticulously reviewing NABARD-backed RIDF projects. The session assessed FY 2025-26 progress, reflecting the state’s robust drive to modernize village infrastructure.
Goyal deemed post-fourth review advancements encouraging and floated the idea of amplifying borrowing capacity should needs escalate. Coordination emerged as a cornerstone, with clear orders for departments to expedite project sanctions, claims, and PCRs to NABARD, ensuring no bottlenecks in execution.
Spotlight fell on the animal husbandry sector’s innovative veterinary clinic blueprint under RIDF, which Goyal urged to be packaged promptly for NABARD nod to fortify rural animal healthcare. Thorough audits of stalled PYG and SMP projects prompted directives for comprehensive data sharing with NABARD, fostering joint oversight.
Pre-meeting insights from NABARD’s Pankaj Kumar noted Rs 2,419 crore in fresh RIDF-XXXI sanctions. Surpassing the Rs 2,700 crore goal, Rs 2,713 crore has been released, with ambitions to hit Rs 3,100 crore by fiscal end. This infusion promises transformative gains for farming, livestock, and Uttar Pradesh’s rural economic landscape.