Taking serious note of the fact that weaker section of society and the minorities lack schools and related educational facilities, the Union Government floated way back in 2006-07 a widespread national project under the name Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV). J&K State also fell under the purview of this scheme. About 99 residential schools for girls of SC, ST, OBC and minority communities were to benefit from the scheme. But except opening two such schools, one in Srinagar and the other concerned authorities did not take the scheme seriously. This was a Centrally sponsored scheme and was financed by the Ministry of HRD. As such, there should not have been any serious obstacle in the way of bringing the scheme of raising all the 99 residential schools to completion in time.
This is not the only scheme that has been either left half way or not completed. We have in these columns brought some more pending or untouched schemes to the notice of the public. Therefore, it is almost a generalization that Centrally sponsored schemes are hardly making any tangible impact on the people of the State. We had recommended that a joint Central and State Assessment Committee ought to be constituted to study in minute detail general reasons that come in the way of the State administration to complete Centrally sponsored schemes within the time schedule. Usually implementing authorities of these schemes complain that funds are not released in time and that causes delay or abandonment of the schemes.
However, this notwithstanding, other causes are also mentioned like ill-reputed contractors shown favour, misappropriation or embezzlement of funds, inability to submit progress report, use of substandard material and non-availability of skilled and technical labour. One more important reason for delay in completion of projects is the lengthy and complicated process of land acquisition. The 99-residential schools project came to a halt when embezzlement case was framed against the authorities in charge of construction. Thereafter the Chief Minister of the State ordered handing over of the project to the State Roads and Buildings Department.
Roads and Buildings Department is reported to have told the Government that an amount of 60 crore rupee was needed to bring these buildings to completion. The Union Ministry of HRD turned down the request of the State Government for additional grant of 60 crore rupees arguing that cost escalation could have been avoided by the State Government if it had taken the scheme seriously and brought it to completion within the stipulated time. Why should the HRD ministry suffer for the lethargy of the State Government and as such the State was advised to raise funds from its own sources.
It is more than two years that the file pertaining to additional grants of 60 crores has been shuttling between the Planning and Finance Departments and no power or authority is mindful of the consequences of delaying the sanction to additional funding. This is a classical example how larger interests of the people are trivialized. Ultimately, it is the people of the State who are suffering the loss of a big facility which the Centre has frugally allowed it. Ever since the Governor took the driver’s seat in the State, he has been bringing out one after another failed project like a skeleton out of the cupboard.
A lesson which future Governments need to learn from dismal lethargy and irresponsibility of the out gone Governments in J&K is that by delaying or under-rating the importance of Centrally sponsored projects, they help the State and society remains backward, unprivileged and uncared for. Those who have been returned in recent polls must understand the simple formula, viz. they are answerable to the people who voted them to power. If they fail to respond to their expectations, they do great disservice to the nation. We will repeat in this case also what we have been saying in the context of other cases as well. The strongest deterrent against corruption, dereliction of duty, lethargy and irresponsibility is accountability. We have a plethora of laws dealing with these crimes and aberrations. But by not enforcing the rule of law, we have made these laws toothless. How can we provide good governance in letter and in spirit if this is the state of administration?
Follow our WhatsApp channel