Again, a state of suspense, uncertainty and ambiguity haunts over the starting of work on development of Jammu and Srinagar as Smart Cities since Housing and Urban Development Department has failed to vigorously pursue with Union Government the issue of release of first instalment of funds under Centrally Sponsored Smart City Mission. We would like to know as to why the Housing and Urban Development Department headed by Deputy Chief Minister Dr.Nirmal Singh and the Chief Secretary failed to approach the Union Ministry to ascertain the reasons behind the inordinate delay in release of first instalment of funds.
Why a state of affairs of complacency or being on the fence especially in matters of such an importance should be overwhelming is hard to comprehend. State authorities, it seems sat on the matter after doing the formality of submitting of the proposal seeking release of funds and never tried to vigorously pursue the matter with the Union Housing and Urban Development Ministry. Is it that delay in meeting the prerequisites by the concerned authorities in Jammu and Kashmir are the reasons behind non-releasing of funds by the Central Government? Smart City Guidelines of the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Development like engaging professional CEOs are not met as no interviews of the candidates, who had applied have taken place so far. This shows a dangling approach rather than a serious one in such an important project by the State Government especially when the project is financed by the Central Government.
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