Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 8: The non-performing and corrupt engineers will be thrown out from the R&B Department and an exercise in this regard has already been started.
Minister for R&B and Floriculture, Syed Altaf Bukhari while replying to the discussion on his ministry in the Upper House today said that there was utmost need to streamline this department. He said the dead-wood from the department will be thrown out and some tainted and also influential people, managing their postings by using influence will not be allowed to have their ways.
“Unfortunately this Ministry has virtually been converted into `Transfers Ministry’. Many people by using their influence and money power were managing their transfers at their choice places while many competent engineers were sidelined. A big `Toll Plaza’ on the name of transfers was operating in the department which perhaps was bigger than the Lakhanpur Toll Plaza. It has now been closed for ever,” Mr Bukhari maintained.
Seeking support and cooperation of the Legislators, the minister said that he would focus on the implementation, monitoring and quality of the projects/ works done while the task related to transfers of the suitable people for the different jabs would be handled by Commissioner/ Secretary in consultations with the Chief Engineers and he would have no roll in transfers.
While referring to the liabilities created by some divisions and works initiated without tenders, the minister said that during last year, 3943 works were executed by various Divisions without inviting tenders while 1610 works were done through tenders. In Kashmir 4210 works were done through tenders and just 89 without tenders. He assured the House that transparency would be brought in this system and e-tendering process would be adopted in the department shortly.
Assuring the Members for making best use of their suggestions for improving the functioning of the departments at all levels, the minister said that the initiatives taken will definitely change the clout of the department. He said corrupt and deadwoods would be shown door soon.
Mr Bukhari said road connectivity is prime requirement for development, adding that plans formulated will transform the socio economic status of the people living in remote and rural areas of the State. He said seven roads in the State have been declared as National Highways and department is pursuing to bring more roads under this ambit.
Regarding construction of tunnels to provide round the year road connectivity to the areas that otherwise remain cut off due to snow during winter months, the minister said that matter is being pursued vigorously with the Centre for approval and allotment of funds.
Mr Bukhari disclosed that two ring roads are proposed to be constructed in Jammu and Srinagar cities to ease traffic pressure in the capital cities besides implementing best traffic management plan. He said Centre is willing to fund the project on sharing basis while the State is pursuing with the Centre to provide full funds for the project.
Bukhari said that certain new technologies, on trial basis, are being introduced in the road macadamization work which will be cost effective and durable.
Seeking cooperation from the Members, Mr Bukhari said that every effort would be made to maintain quality of works besides ensuring that works are completed in a time bound manner. He said no compromise would be made on the quality of work, adding the deadwood of the department will be shown door soon.
He said testing laboratories of the State are being upgraded and renovated to meet the changing technological needs. He disclosed that Sopore-Bye-pass road will be completed during this year while work on four lane Parimpora-Narbal road and widening of Pantha Chowk Bye-pass road will be intensified. He said Chief Minister has released Rs 10 crore for acquisition of land required for widening of Panthchowk road.
While speaking on Gardens, Parks and Floriculture department, the minister said that ambit of the department would be expanded to promote it as alternate business activity. He said cold storage facilities will be provided to those who wish to adopt this as an income generating activity. He said Mughal Gardens would be developed on modern lines to provide innovated facilities to the tourists visiting these gardens.
Earlier, 12 Members took part in the discussion and shared their views, who included Firdous Ahmad Tak, Surinder Chaudhry, Vibodh Gupta, Sham Lal Bhagat, Ghulam Nabi Monga, Naresh Gupta, Jugal Kishore Sharma, Dr Basheer Ahmad Veeri, Charanjeet Singh, Qaisar Jamshed Lone, Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo and Dr Shahnaz Ganai.
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