Minister, some MLAs express reservations over extension
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 1: Notwithstanding the reservations of Minister Incharge and some lawmakers, the Legislative Assembly today granted two months’ extension to the House Committee on Jal Jeevan Mission to submit its report.
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Even as Chairman of the House Committee on JJM, Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi, moved the motion seeking extension of the committee for a further period of three months for completing its assigned task and submit report, the extension was granted for only two months in view of several members’ opposition to the motion.
While opposing the motion, Minister for Jal Shakti Department, Javed Rana explained that granting extension to the House panel will delay release of funds by the Government of India, which has recently approved second phase of JJM.
“Due to stoppage of payments, the liabilities have increased from Rs 400 crores to Rs 1500 crore and under such circumstances, extension to the House Committee cannot be granted,” he said.
On the Minister’s remarks, Hasnain Masoodi sought to explain that there are 32000 schemes under JJM and the panel needs to review at least five percent of the same.
“We have covered some areas of Budgam, Udhampur and Reasi, but a lot more are still to be covered, particularly Poonch and Rajouri where we could not visit due to flood situation. Besides, we need to listen to the whistle blowers and others for which extension of at least three months is required,” he said.
He was supported by MLA Poonch, Aijaz Jan, who alleged that 95 percent JJM schemes were not on ground and therefore the House Committee should be given sufficient time to investigate the matter.
BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma admitted that the matter was of very serious nature, but delay in submitting the committee report would tarnish image of J&K as JJM-Phase 2 has been approved.
Moreover, he added, three simultaneous inquiries into JJM implementation are going on while CAG is also conducting audit of the scheme.
“Even if extension is needed it should not be of three months, but only one month and not more than that,” he opined.
Sajad Lone of People’s Conference alleged that the House Committee on JJM has caused ambiguity as this was not the first and last case of corruption in Government schemes.
“If investigation is required, let it be from 1947,” he said and lamented that there was 70 percent deficit of drinking water in his constituency.
On this, Speaker reminded that the probe was initiated as House wanted a committee into the matter.
Saifullah Mir of NC said that there was no objection on extending term of the committee, but their only concern was that no work was going on the schemes and pending payment were also not processed.
Nazir Gurezi of NC said that several JJM schemes have been completed, but not commissioned because payments of contractors were not cleared.
Saifullah Mir of NC suggested that a statement should be made by the Minister Incharge clarifying that no payments should remain pending.
Mohd Yusuf Tarigami sought to know whether the pending work on schemes has been stalled because the House has constituted a committee to probe the matter.
“As per my knowledge, the House Committee Chairman has made it clear that no recommendation has been made to stop payments or works,” he added.
Farooq Shah of NC suggested that the committee may submit its preliminary report and continue work.
In his concluding remarks, Speaker Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather, said that major part of the work has been completed by the House Committee, however, it requires more time to submit the report as there are 32000 water supply schemes to be examined.
“As such a lengthy exercise is not possible to be concluded in one month, let the committee be granted an extension of two months,” he observed. Following this, the motion was accepted and extension was granted for two months through voice vote.
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