OREANDA-NEWS. India state cabinet has granted ex-facto approval for constitution of the functional secretariat for the Brazil, Russsia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) summit, 2016, and to delegate all administrative and financial powers.

It is estimated that 70 crore would be needed to put in place various infrastructure as well as procurement of material/equipment and conduct of programmes. The state has requested the central government to compensate it. The eighth annual summit of the heads of nations consisting BRICS block will be held in Goa from October 14 to 16.

CM Laxmikant Parsekar after a cabinet meeting on Wednesday told media that the functional secretariat will be headed by him in capacity as chief minister while the deputy chief minister will be co-chairman. Other members include chief secretary, secretary (general administration), secretary finance, principal chief secretary, PWD, additional secretary, finance and additional secretary, general administration.

The functional secretariat shall be the focal point for all decision-making relating to the execution of infrastructure plan, streamlining arrangements, conduct of programmes for the smooth conduct of BRICS summit, 2016.

The functional secretariat will also be the one-point contact for all state government departments and agencies who are co-ordinating several activities as well as execution of certain infrastructure and other programmes. It will oversee and co-ordinate all activities being undertaken by various government departments and agencies and it will also liaise with central government agencies.

For effective monitoring of day-to-day activities, general administration department has appointed nodal officers and assigned certain works, and they will all report to the functional secretariat.