The patent excuse with the Government in not completing projects within time is of paucity of funds. Often the Central Government is held responsible for delaying the release of funds on significant projects. Sometimes bureaucratic bottlenecks are made the pretext. But what should we say when for a given project there was no paucity of funds and there has been regular inflow of funds on production of utilization certificate.
What justification does the JKPCC have in demanding enhanced expenditure to the tune of 88 crore rupees for the completion of new legislative complex in Jammu when there has not been any hurdle in smooth execution of the project from day one when its execution began. On what grounds does the JKPCC claim rise of such an enormous amount which the State Government is in no position to provide? This was a project of 104 crore rupees and the JKPCC had completed all formalities of the estimate and agreed to take up the project. March 2015 was the delivery date. That has not been adhered to for reasons not known. Now the contracting agency wants not only extension in the date of its completion but also an additional amount of 88 crore rupees on the plea of escalation of costs. The costs including its escalation prospective were taken into account at the time of finalization and approval of the contract. We find no justification in either of the two propositions. The contracting agency has never complained of paucity of funds and other facilities. How come it suddenly has jumped at escalation of cost? There appears a mystery shrouding the entire affair. We would entreat the Government to order a probe into the reasons for delay and also fix the onus for delay. Those who are found defaulters have to be brought to book. This is a litmus test for the Government whether it means to enforce accountability or succumbs to political and other pressures.
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