Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Aug 10: In the wake of major terrorist attack in Udhampur and Intelligence inputs about infiltration attempts by the militants, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today held high level review of security scenario in Jammu and called for strengthening security measures on the borders and hinterland to prevent any fresh strike by the militants.
“The terrorist attack has affected flow of tourists to Jammu and Kashmir including pilgrim tourist to Mata Vaishno Devi ji and Shri Amarnath ji cave shrines,” Sayeed, who also holds charge of the Home Department, pointed out while chairing security review meeting at his official residence here.
Home Secretary RK Goyal and Director General of Police (DGP) K Rajendra gave detailed brief of security situation to the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh especially on the terror attack by two Pakistani militants at Samroli in Udhampur and the incident that took place at Sangh, Basantgarh.
Sources pointed out that the terror attack was not elaborated in the meeting as the Centre wanted to keep details pertaining to Pakistani militant Mohammad Naved Yaqub, who was captured alive in Samroli attack, secret. A detailed briefing on the attack would be given to the Chief Minister in separate meeting by the Home Secretary and the DGP after completion of investigations. Sayeed has already been briefed on the attack and the aftermath.
Official sources told the Excelsior that Mufti Sayeed directed police to make fool-proof security arrangements not only in the border areas but in the entire hinterland in cooperation with para-military forces and other security agencies to ensure that Samroli like attacks were not repeated in future and that the militants didn’t manage to sneak into the State from the borders.
“Even one such terror attack has worst impact on tourism and ongoing yatras in Jammu and Kashmir for a long time,” he told the police officials and stressed that in view of upcoming festival season, there was great need to step-up vigil in the border areas. He added that police force was required to guard movement on the National Highways, major roads and hilly areas.
Earlier, the Home Secretary, the DGP and IGP Jammu Danesh Rana gave detailed briefing to the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister on security situation prevailing in the Jammu region including the border areas and the hinterland. They also briefed him on investigations in Samroli and Basantgarh attacks in Udhampur district.
DIGs of all ranges and SSPs of all districts of Jammu division were also present in the meeting.
Sources said the Chief Minister later also reviewed implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes and ongoing developmental projects in Jammu.
Chief Secretary Mohammad Iqbal Khandey, Principal Secretary, Planning and Development Department B R Sharma, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, BB Vyas, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pawan Kotwal and the Deputy Commissioners of all districts of Jammu division attended the meeting among other officials.
According to sources, Mufti Sayeed stressed that Rs 6000 crores approved for Jammu and Kashmir under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes must be utilized expeditiously to ensure that the amount didn’t lapsed as used to be the case previously.
He called upon the officials especially the District Development Commissioners (DDCs) to regularly monitor the developmental works approved by the District Development Boards (DDBs) and the works being executed under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes and ensure that there was no laxity in them. He called for completion of works well in time.
The Chief Ministers asked the DDCs to review the works every month for their timely completion.
According to sources, the Chief Minister was very particular about completion of works under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes as this was for the first time that Jammu and Kashmir has been granted
According to sources, Principal Secretary, Planning and Development B R Sharma briefed the Chief Minister that there is now surety of allocation and on-time release of funds under the restructured mechanism. He said sufficient funds have been placed at the disposal of concerned departments under the Central Schemes.
“Earlier, the money under CSSs used to be released in multiple tranches, but this year we have been able to release allocations well in advance as the DDB meetings were held in the beginning of the financial year,” Sharma said.
It may be mentioned here that the Central Government is contemplating cutting down CSSs to a few select prestigious flagship programmes from the present 66. With this restructuring, the resources under the abolished CSSs would be subsumed into the kitty of the mega schemes.
The Chief Minister noted that replacement of Planning Commission by NITI Aayog and acceptance of the 14th Finance Commission Award will have long-term implications for the planning process in the State.
“We have to ensure that the State share is released and UCs submitted on time so that there are no last-minute hiccups in the implementation of the Central Schemes,” he stressed.
Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh stressed for timely and expeditious completion of all projects undertaken in hands in Jammu.
An official handout said: the Chief Minister, while reviewing progress of work on Jammu Cable Car and Tawi Lake Projects, Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex, Sidhra Golf Course, Shopping Malls and Parking Lots at Panjtirthi and Jammu Bus Stand and Bikram Chowk-Presentation Convent Flyover, also laid stress on time-bound completion of all these projects.
Emphasizing upon submission of Utilization Certificates in time so that State does not face any problem in release of tranches under CSSs, the Chief Minister said with Central devolutions now available, the State Government is in a position to decide its developmental priorities. He also directed the Planning Department to ensure that Capital Expenditure Budget of the State is spent in full.
Referring to the implementation of several flagship programmes like MNREGA in the State, Mufti Sayeed directed that convergence of MNREGA resources with available capital outlays must be ensured in an innovative manner so as to maximize benefits flowing out of the public investments. “The onus now lies on us to spend the CSSs’ kitty of Rs.6000 crore in the most judicious and transparent manner so as to ensure that public investment under the Plan is fully translated into tangible development assets on the ground,” he said.
Mufti Sayeed suggested further strengthening of monitoring mechanism by way of review meetings of DDBs, particularly by way of ensuring that timelines for execution of developmental schemes are strictly adhered to. He directed the Planning Secretary to compile a list of developmental projects that can be completed before the end of this year.
The Chief Minister chaired all the 20 DDB meetings between June 18 and July 04, during which the State Government approved new scheme of financing of District Plans which envisaged equal distribution of funds into clearing past liabilities, completion of ongoing projects and taking up new projects.
While reviewing progress on Jammu Ropeway Project, the Chief Minister issued directions for its completion in the shortest possible time. He was briefed about the ongoing work on the Upper Terminal of the Project near Bahu Fort, which is expected to be completed within the next three months.
On Patnitop Ropeway and International Yoga Centre at Mantalai, the Chief Minister directed the Chief Secretary to monitor progress so that diversification of tourism-related activities propels Jammu towards becoming an independent tourist destination.
The Director Tourism, Jammu, informed the Chief Minister that the work on completion of 18-hole Jammu Tawi Golf Course at Sidhra will be completed well before the end of this year.
On the issue of construction of multi-tier parking lots and shopping mall at Panjtirthi and Jammu Bus-stand and finalization of sites for the sanctioned medical colleges, the Chief Minister was informed that these were in final stages and work on these projects will commence soon.
Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh , in his remarks, emphasized upon making people aware about developmental activities of the State Government for which all necessary details should be put in public domain. “This will also bring in greater transparency and accelerate public expenditure,” he said.
Dr Singh further stressed upon steps which are required to be taken to ensure quality control in execution of developmental schemes for creation of durable public assets.
Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Dr Pawan Kotwal informed the Chief Minister that holy Amarnath Yatra is progressing smoothly, barring temporary suspensions on account of closure of roads due to incessant rains. He said the directions given by him while chairing the DDB meetings are being closely monitored in all the districts of Jammu Division.
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