*DCs to head Nodal Agencies for CSSs
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, May 22: The Government today announced implementation of `Free Drug Policy’ in all Government-run hospitals of Jammu and Kashmir from June 1 and involvement of MLAs in the Planning process. It also declared that henceforth the Deputy Commissioners would head `Nodal Agencies’ for implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSSs) to expedite them.
Several other significant decisions like working out roadmap for over 60,000 need based workers engaged in various Government departments across the State, signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Sabarmati River Front Corporation, Gujarat and Jammu Development Authority (JDA) for riverfront project from Sidhra to fourth bridge of Tawi, launching work on 4-laning of Jammu-Akhnoor road and sanction of ration to West Pakistani refugees as per 2011 census were also announced by the senior Government functionaries in the District Development Board (DDB) meeting of Jammu today, which was chaired by its chairman, Dr Nirmal Singh.
The meeting that lasted seven hours was marred by open dissensions within the ruling BJP as party’s Akhnoor MLA Rajiv Sharma raised the issue of `blatant discrimination’ with Assembly constituencies of Jammu district by citing figures and staged a walk-out in the meeting saying he can’t tolerate such discrimination.
Official sources told the Excelsior that as soon as the meeting began, Rajiv Sharma, who had defeated Congress stalwart and former Minister Sham Lal Sharma in Akhnoor, cited figures saying every Assembly segment in the State was getting average Rs 40 crores or above in the district plans being approved in the DDB meetings while Jammu district has been given only Rs 18 crores per segment.
“We have been elected by the people. We can’t backstab them,” Sharma told the Excelsior after the walk-out. He said Kishtwar district with just two Assembly segments got Rs 116 crores plan while Doda with two constituencies got Rs 158 crores, which comes out at Rs 58 crores and Rs 78 crores per segment. Similarly, Baramulla district with seven constituencies got Rs 240 crores, which comes out around Rs 34 crores per segment.
On the other hand, Sharma said, Jammu has been given Rs 200 crores worth plan despite having 11 Assembly constituencies, which comes out around Rs 18 crores per segment. He recalled that he had raised the issue during last year’s Board meeting also and was assured by then Chief Minister late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed that the mistake will be rectified next year. However, the ‘similar mistake’ was repeated this year, he said, adding he was compelled to boycott the meeting against discrimination with Jammu region.
Dr Nirmal Singh said the allotment of funds is done taking in view the area, population and requirements of the segments. He cited that one kilometer road in the City is constructed at far less cost as compared to hilly areas. He announced that for development of Jammu City, a separate budget has been proposed.
Sources said DDB Jammu chairman and Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh announced that from now onwards the State Government would implement the Centrally Sponsored Schemes bringing in more coordination among various Departments and designating the Deputy Commissioners as head of `Nodal Agencies’.
“This will ensure more transparency in all works under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes and their early completion besides ensuring that the funds didn’t lapse and works are completed on time,” he said, adding there was no dearth of funds from the Centre under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes but they have to be properly and timely utilized by giving Utilization Certificates (UCs) to the Government of India.
Sources said with Deputy Commissioners designated as head of `Nodal Agencies’, the CSSs would be implemented effectively.
Another significant announcement in the DDB meeting was made by Health and Education Minister Bali Bhagat that `Free Drug Policy’ in all Government-run hospitals of Jammu and Kashmir will be implemented from June 1.
Under the Policy, a number of listed drugs will be provided free of cost to the patients in the Government hospitals, Bhagat announced and said the list of the free drugs will be displayed in all hospitals right from the Dispensaries to District Hospitals so that the patients and their attendants are aware about the drugs they can get free in the hospitals, where they were being treated upon.
“The free drugs will come in one colour to stop their pilferage in the market,” he announced.
On queries raised by several MLAs about the plight of need based workers, the Deputy Chief Minister wanted Chief Secretary BR Sharma to brief the Board members.
Sharma said that a roadmap is being prepared by the State Government on need based workers, whose number was around 60,000 in various Government Departments. He said the issue has also been discussed in the Cabinet and, presently, profiling of the workers was on. He added that the Government would shortly take a decision on the need based workers.
It may be mentioned here that workers in some of the Departments have gone on strike saying they were not being paid wages for months together.
Sources said Commissioner/Secretary Works Rohit Kansal told the DDB Jammu members that work on 4-laning of Jammu-Akhnoor road would start shortly after acquiring of land and completion of other formalities. He said Jammu-Poonch highway has been approved by the Government of India. While Jammu-Akhnoor highway will be 4-lane, Akhnoor-Poonch road via Rajouri will be two-lane.
Dr Nirmal Singh announced that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Sabarmati River Front Corporation Limited, Gujarat and Jammu Development Authority will be signed very shortly as all formalities for the project for raising riverfront from Sidhra to fourth bridge of Tawi river have been completed.
In the Phase-I, the project will be taken up from fourth Tawi bridge to Gujjar Nagar followed by up to Sidhra.
Dr Singh said that the Government has, for the first time, ordered comprehensive audit of the PHE assets. After the audit, improvement work, wherever required, will be taken up.
He announced that West Pakistani refugees would now get ration based on 2011 census, which was a long pending demand of the refugees.
On power front, the Deputy Chief Minister, who also holds portfolio of Power Development Department, said 70 to 100 mega watt power distribution capacity has been enhanced with the starting of IRCON feeders at various places. He announced funds for ‘Transformer Workshop’ at Akhnoor.
He said the roads constructed under Prime Minister’s Grameen Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), which have completed five years, will be handed over to the Public Works Department (PWD) for maintenance now.
Dr Singh announced Rs 60 crores for MA Stadium for making it national standard stadium and construction of another stadium under Centre’s `Khelo India’ scheme in Jammu West Assembly segment.
BJP MP Jugal Kishore Sharma called for immediate start of work on Jammu’s Gandola project and BC Road and Canal Flyovers.
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