From economic and strategic angles, both the UTs, viz Jammu and Kashmir as well as Ladakh need good connectivity of roads throughout the year and as such deserve pointed attention by the concerned Governments in maintaining the roads and keeping them safe, secure and comfortable for motoring. The question whether financial assistance under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) scheme to both the UTs are released in time or not, if not what are the reasons and why merely 17.3 per cent and 27 per cent of the amount allocated were released for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh for the period 2020-21 respectively has a direct bearing on the entire issue. Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport , Tourism and Culture has noted all these unsatisfactory parameters under the said scheme and has, therefore, asked the concerned Union Ministry to look into the problem in entirety. Inordinate delay in completion of work on Srinagar to Banihal National Highway, as the project stands delayed for six years to the inconvenience of the people, has also been mentioned in the report submitted by the Panel to the Parliament .
It is , however, astonishing to note that such a slow pace of utilization of funds under the scheme being there but monitoring or periodic assessment of the speed of work on roads is totally found either missing or taken quite casually which has led to expressing of anguish by the Parliamentary Panel . Monitoring by the Parliamentary Standing Committee of all the related matters pertaining to the departments allocated to them is a prerequisite for filing of annual reports in the Parliament in respect of how, when and where the central funds were spent or not spent or required but not released and recommending different measures to be taken and providing suggestive remedies. In its recommendations, the Panel has urged the Union Ministry to lay special focus on maintenance of roads in the UTs. Timely release of funds to implement the CRIF scheme was necessary especially when both the UTs were directly under the control of the Central Government and the Parliamentary Panel has, as such, desired the reasons to be made known to it.
The other side of the story is that probably requisite regular utilization certificates did not reach the Union Ministry in time indicating that on ground either the pace of work was abysmally slow or whatever work was completed it was not duly reported about. It is incumbent, in order to have the next instalment released, the utilization certificates and other paper work all complete must be sent to the Union Ministry in time . Since the same has probably not been done and also due to almost four to five months of phases of lockdown and its aftermaths having had its impact on labour intensive works, the progress of works, the funds and their utilization were all below the levels of expectations. Moreover, it is the responsibility of the UT Governments to take up the concerned issue regularly with the concerned Ministries to have the funds released in time. At least, ifrequisite funds are earmarked , it is unlikely that those would not be released . Work on ground, the progress and the pace thereof have direct bearing on the pattern of getting the requisite funds from the Central Government released.
The Parliamentary Panel has not only visited a few places in the UT but talked to various stakeholders as well on various issues related to different aspects of the departments concerned thus receiving the valuable feedback and underlined the importance of the role of highways in nation building vis-a-vis the status of National and State Highways in Jammu and Kashmir. 19 projects worth Rs. 13900 crore are facing inordinate delays for obvious reasons. Concerted efforts are, therefore, needed to be taken by the Governments of both the UTs in spending the allotted funds under the scheme on the required works of roads etc and if warranted , as the Parliamentary Standing Committee too has recommended, seek additional funds, if required, from the Central Government .
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