Slackness persists even after repeated instructions from CM
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Jan 3: Though over two years have lapsed since the announcement of over Rs 80,000 crore worth Prime Minister’s Development Package for Jammu and Kashmir yet expenditure in respect of several projects has remained less than 50% of the released funds due to slackness on the part of the concerned departments of the State Government. This is notwithstanding the fact that Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is repeatedly laying thrust on proactive approach to expedite execution of projects.
The package was announced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 7, 2015 while addressing two rallies in Srinagar and in Ramban and the experts were of the opinion that package would completely transform the developmental profile of the Jammu and Kashmir provided it is implemented in a time bound manner.
As per the figures of the Planning and Development Department, actual approved cost of the package was Rs 80068 crore but later it was revised at Rs 82452.66 crore. Of this, funds to the tune of Rs 27235.09 crore have been sanctioned out of which Rs 14910.63 crore released till date for both State and Central Sector Projects. However, the expenditure as on date is to the tune of Rs 11917.04 crore.
As far as State Sector Projects are concerned, an amount of Rs 4503.70 crore has been expended against the release of Rs 6356.16 crore. However, there are numerous projects in respect of which expenditure has remained less than 50% of the released funds despite lapse of over two years.
According to the figures provided by the Chief Minister, who is also Minister Incharge Planning and Development Department in response to the question of National Conference MLA Ali Mohammad Sagar in the Legislative Assembly, an amount of Rs 77.50 crore has been released for development of tourism in the State but the Tourism Department has registered expenditure of only Rs 31.46 crore so far.
The slackness in execution of the projects is notwithstanding the fact that an amount of Rs 387.51 crore has already been sanctioned and can be easily released provided the department submits the Utilization Certificates of the already released amount. What to talk of obtaining more funds under the sanctioned amount even entire released amount has not been utilized by the Tourism Department till date.
For Solar Off-Grid Home System/Street lights an amount of Rs 15.77 crore has been released but only Rs 48 lakh has been spent till date by the Science and Technology Department. Astonishingly, not even a single penny has been expended till date despite release of Rs 1.94 crore for implementation/installation of 15 small projects by Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA).
Similarly, for providing 50% subsidy support for setting up of solar driers an amount of Rs 20 crore was sanctioned and Rs 1.80 crore was released to the Horticulture Department. However, not even a single penny has been spent till date.
Out of Rs 9 crore sanctioned for construction of cold storage facilities at Leh and Kargil, an amount of Rs 80 lakh was released but the Horticulture Department has failed to utilize even this amount till date. As far as restoration of damaged horticulture areas and development of horticulture is concerned, an amount of Rs 151.29 crore was released but only Rs 70.90 crore has been expended by the department so far.
An amount of Rs 800 crore was released for interest subvention on assistance for restoration of livelihood for traders, self employed and business establishments etc but only Rs 330.85 crore has been utilized so far. Similarly, an amount of only Rs 13.69 crore has been utilized by the Youth Services and Sports Department against the release of Rs 30 crore for creation of sports infrastructure and facilities for coaches and trainers etc.
For completion of ongoing JNNURM projects, an amount of Rs 344.99 crore was released to the Housing and Urban Development Department. However, funds to the tune of Rs 139.04 crore have been utilized till date. For high end security and law and order system in the State only Rs 61.27 crore have been utilized against release of Rs 118.30 crore.
Less than 50% expenditure of the released amount on these and several other projects is notwithstanding the fact that ever since Mehbooba Mufti has assumed the office of Chief Minister she is repeatedly laying thrust on expediting the implementation of Prime Minister’s Development Package by way of timely utilization of already released amount and submission of Utilization Certificates to pave the way for release of further funds.
However, the performance vis-à-vis execution of Central Sector Projects is far better than the State Sector Projects. There are only four projects in respect of which less than 50% expenditure of the released amount has been recorded in respect of Central Sector Projects.
These are modernization of National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar, training of youth in self-employment through placement linked scheme; Jammu-Akhnoor-Poonch widening and four-lanning of Udhampur-Ramban stretch of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
According to the official sources, “if the Government fails to ensure expeditious execution of the projects it may not be able to avail full benefit of Rs 82452.66 crore worth Prime Minister’s Development Package”.
Follow our WhatsApp channel