Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Aug 30: Former Councilor Preeti Khajuria has alleged that `discriminatory’ and ‘inequitable’ distribution of District Plan Funds by Chief Officer, Municipal Council Udhampur has completely ignored nine wards.
She drew the attention to a serious case of gross administrative injustice and discrimination in the allocation of District Plan Funds for the year 2025-26 by the Chief Officer, Municipal Council Udhampur
“With utmost regret and concern, I have to formally inform that the fund distribution has been done in a clearly inequitable manner, violates the principles of decentralized planning and neglects the welfare of citizens of several wards,” she said, in a statement.
Preeti Khajuria claimed that out of Rs 42 lakhs, a disproportionately large share of nearly 50 percent of the amount has been allocated to only two wards Ward No. 17 (Rs 17 lakh) and Ward No. 11 (Rs 5.6 lakh)
“In contrast, nine other wards of the municipality did not receive any funds. Wards 1, 3, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 16, 19 have been completely neglected and have been allocated zero funds in this scheme. This action has deprived these wards of their fair share for development works, stunted their progress and violated the fundamental right to equitable development of all citizens,’ she said, adding that such allocation pattern was completely contrary to the declared vision and objectives of the urban local bodies.
Moreover, she added, it makes a mockery of the detailed planning process that emphasized “inclusive planning”, “transparency” and “area-specific development” through extensive consultation with stakeholders.
Preeti Khajuria demanded that there should be a high-level inquiry into the process and criteria used by the Chief Officer of Nagar Palika Udhampur for this discriminatory fund allocation and the Deputy Commissioner should be directed to immediately release funds to the nine neglected wards to ensure that their development is not hampered. There should also be a transparent and equitable re-distribution of all district plan funds based on objective criteria such as population, lack of infrastructure and area-specific needs. Necessary disciplinary action should also be taken against the officials responsible for this biased and unfair decision, she added.
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