As the current financial year is coming to an end, the Almora district administration has stressed on the need to complete all the pending developmental projects in time with proper utilisation of the allotted funds for them. Reviewing the progress of various developmental projects in the district, DS Garbyal, district magistrate, Almora, informed that out of Rs33.93 crore released by the State Government against Rs 37.38 lakh proposed under the district plan, about Rs31.76 crore has been utilised which is about 76.23 per cent of the total amount released. Progress of some other schemes under the State plan is also satisfactory. “But we have to expedite works on all the ongoing projects so that they could be completed as per schedule, ensuring proper utilisation of funds,” the district magistrate said. Despite certain developments like election schedule clashing with dates of completion of certain other development works, the district administration of Almora has been able to utilise about 92 per cent of the fund released under NREGA schemes so far. “An amount of Rs1,883.566 was released to the district. We have so far been able to spend Rs1,741.939 of this amount,” Garbyal said, asking authorities to utilise the rest of the at the earliest. The district magistrate urged those departments the performance of which is not up to the mark, to work hard so that the pending works could be completed as per schedule. Under the 20-point programme, the district administration has put as many as 17 departments in Category A, six departments in Category B, three departments in C and one department in D based on performance. Expressing disappointment, the district magistrate asked the companies in C and D categories to improve their work. The district administration has also emphasised on the need to give priority to various drinking water schemes being carried out under the special component plan in the district. Since the new financial year is drawing near, the district magistrate has asked authorities to complete all development projects under way with aid from Asian Development Bank. Among other developmental projects, the district has decided to give priority to the completion of projects under the Prime Minister Rural Road Scheme. The district magistrate expressed disappointment over slow pace of works on construction of toilets in rural areas under the 20-point programme and directed the officials to expedite works. “Keeping in view these important public interests matters, these projects should be completed as per schedule,” Garbyal told officials of the Jal Nigam, Jal Sasthan and Swajal Department.