Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Jan 3: Notwithstanding the allegations from certain quarters about ‘inadequate’ assistance from the Union Government in the aftermath of devastating floods of September last year, Jammu and Kashmir has yet to start obtaining benefit of Rs 100 crore special package announced by the Union Tourism Ministry within days of worst ever natural calamity. This huge assistance was offered for rebuilding tourism infrastructure in the flood-ravaged State.
Reliable sources told EXCELSIOR that in a swift initiative following the devastating floods, the Union Tourism Ministry, on September 11, 2014, as an exceptional case, announced Rs 100 crore special package for rebuilding tourism infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir.
The objective behind this package was to help the State in restoration and reconstruction of the affected Government tourist facilities. This assistance was over and above the already prioritized projects for Central Financial Assistance of about Rs 127 crore in the current fiscal for developing tourism infrastructure.
While announcing special package, the Union Tourism Minister advised the State Government to assess the destroyed and damaged tourist amenities and conveniences and revert with the requirement of funds for rebuilding the same. He even stated that on examination of the demand, the Ministry would sanction the funds for reconstruction of infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir with special focus on tourist facilities in Kashmir valley.
However, despite the lapse of over three months the State Government has failed to initiate the process for assessment of losses without which funds available under the special package cannot be availed, sources regretted, adding “it is unbecoming on the part of the State Government to adopt casual approach towards the issue of utmost importance. Such a dilly dallying practice exposes the allegations from certain quarters about inadequate assistance from the Union Government in the aftermath of devastating floods”.
Keeping in view the long exercise of assessing the losses and then preparing the Detailed Project Reports nobody knows when the State Government would be able to avail the benefit of Rs 100 crore special package, sources further regretted. “It seems that there was no follow up from those at the helm of affairs in the Tourism Department at Civil Secretariat level otherwise three months would have not lapsed”, they added.
According to the sources privy to the development vis-à-vis assessment of losses across the State, the Tourism Department had floated tenders inviting offers from the firms empanelled by the Union Tourism Ministry for assessment of losses and preparation of Detailed Project Reports keeping in view the fact that entire exercise involves expertise.
However, there was no encouraging response from such companies following which the Tourism Department had to issue fresh tenders.
Shockingly, the tender notice was published in the newspaper only a day before the last date for the response to the same as such exercise initiated for second time yielded no response. “Now, the Tourism Department has decided to extend the time for response to the tender notice by two weeks”, sources said.
Keeping in view the exercise required to be carried out after response to the tender notice and the fact that any company shortlisted for the task would require minimum one month time to assess the quantum of damages and financial assistance required to rebuild the infrastructure besides preparation of Detailed Project Reports, it seems that State Government may not be able to avail the benefit of Rs 100 crore special package during the current financial year.
Moreover, what would be the option available to the State Government in case of further poor response to the tender notice remains a million dollar question, sources said. “Keeping in view similar problems in other departments too, State bureaucracy is required to seriously ponder upon the reasons behind poor response of firms and companies from outside the State so that corrective steps are initiated in the interest of the State”, they stressed.
“Instead of watching the poor response to the tender notice as mute spectator the Tourism Department should take up the issue with the Union Tourism Ministry to find out an alternative and to ensure that the benefit of the special package is availed at the earliest”, sources further said.
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