Gandhinagar: Chief minister Bhupendra Patel has asked the administration to prepare a standard operating procedure (SOP) at the earliest to prevent delays in implementing development projects across sectors and departments. The SOP will also cover issuance of no objection certificates (NOCs) by various departments.The state cabinet, which met on Wednesday, also reviewed the situation arising out of the West Asia crisis and the austerity measures announced by the state govt in wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to adopt prudency.“The chief minister regularly reviews ongoing projects, and has directed the chief secretary to prepare an SOP to address delays in development projects because of departmental procedures,” govt spokesperson Jitu Vaghani told reporters after the cabinet meeting.To a question on shortage of fuel and fertilizers in some parts of Gujarat, Vaghani said that the situation arising out of the West Asia crisis was reviewed at the meeting. “The CM has directed the administration to ensure that fuel stocks are available at all stations. Fertilizers are a national issue and linked to the West Asia crisis,” he said. On austerity measures, Vaghani said all departments have been asked to evaluate additional expenditure and take necessary steps to reduce them.In another important development, the urban development department and panchayats department have been directed to ensure that pre-monsoon action plans are implemented across all municipal corporations, municipalities and other local bodies, Vaghani said. He added there are representations that some newly developed lakes have not been filled with water. “The administration has been asked to identify water sources and fill all such empty lakes at the earliest,” he said.He said that the state govt will also celebrate 12 years of the Modi-led Union govt with tree planting drives and welfare activities.
