Directives of CS on expediting works fail to yield results
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Feb 12: Exhibiting height of slackness, Jammu Municipal Corporation has registered only 23% expenditure under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) Scheme of the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. This is notwithstanding the repeated directions from the Chief Secretary, who heads State level High Powered Committee entrusted with the task of steering the Mission Programme in its entirety, about gearing up of works.
However, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation is marching ahead with full utilization of funds released under the Mission Programme of the Union Government.
As per the official data, an amount of Rs 2222 lakh was released in the year 2016-17 under AMRUT Scheme for utilization by the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) on different projects. However, the Corporation could register expenditure of only Rs 516 lakh, which is around 23%.
Of Rs 2222 lakh, an amount of Rs 667 lakh was released for design, construction, erection and commissioning of 164 KLD Septage Treatment Plant at Bhagwati Nagar; purchase of sewer/jetting machine; design, construction, installation, commissioning and testing of 4 MLD Sewerage Treatment Plant for 5 nullahs falling on left side of River Tawi and construction of sewerage system by way of laying of sewers construction of manhole for 5 nullahs on left side of River Tawi.
However, only an amount of Rs 88 lakh was spent by the Jammu Municipal Corporation thereby exposing the slackness on the part of the concerned authorities.
Similarly, an amount of Rs 1000 lakh was released during 2016-17 to JMC for construction of deep drains at Saraswati Vihar, Top Sherkhania, Rajiv Basti/Bikram Chowk, Vasant Vihar via Bharat Nagar (Kamla Palace), Sunder Nagar, Sharika Vihar and along Tawi Canal in Extension Trikuta Nagar; construction of drainage network in ST Mohalla backside of FCI Godowns and JKAP Lines Channi Rama, Swagat Vihar Deeli with its outfall in nullah at Deeli and improvement of main Rehari nullah on back side of GGM Science College Jammu. However, an amount of only Rs 300 lakh was spent by the JMC.
Likewise, an amount of Rs 444 lakh was released for development of pedestrian walkways, footpaths and cycle tracks; intelligent traffic system and construction of multi-tier parking at Panjthirthi. However, the Jammu Municipal Corporation has registered expenditure of only Rs 128 lakh.
As far as development of green space on both sides of different nullahs is concerned, an amount of Rs 111 lakh was released by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Shockingly, not even a single penny was utilized by the JMC.
The slackness on the part of JMC in utilization of funds under AMRUT Mission was highlighted by none else than the Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh, who is also Minister Incharge Housing and Urban Development, in response to the question of National Conference MLA Ali Mohammad Sagar in the Legislative Assembly today.
The National Conference legislator had sought work-wise details of amount spent under AMRUT Scheme by Jammu Municipal Corporation and Srinagar Municipal Corporation during the last two years.
The slackness on the part of JMC is notwithstanding the fact that Chief Secretary, who heads State level High Powered Committee, has repeatedly been issuing directions for gearing up the pace of work on the projects under AMRUT Mission. This committee has been entrusted with the task of steering the Mission Programme in its entirety.
On the other side, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation has fully utilized the funds made available under AMRUT Mission during 2016-17 financial year.
As per the data provided by the Deputy Chief Minister, SMC has fully utilized Rs 1444 lakh released under drainage, urban transport and green spaces sectors.
In drainage sector, SMC has registered expenditure of Rs 444 lakh while as under urban transport it has utilized Rs 888 lakh. Similarly under green spaces sector, SMC has registered expenditure of Rs 112 lakh.
It is pertinent to mention here that thrust areas under AMRUT Mission are water supply, sewerage facilities and septage management, storm water drains to reduce flooding, pedestrian, non-motorized and public transport facilities, parking places and enhancing amenity value of cities by creating and upgrading green spaces, parks and recreation centres especially for children.
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