Less than 50% progress on 4 out of 6 Himalayan Circuit projects
*Notices lackadaisical approach in submission of UCs
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Feb 3: The Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee comprising 31 Members of Parliament has rapped the Government of Jammu and Kashmir particularly the authorities of the Tourism Department for inordinate delay in completion of projects sanctioned under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme and submission of Utilization Certificates (UCs) of the whopping amount sanctioned for creation of tourism infrastructure.
The Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee in its 270th report on the development of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir had sought status of projects under Himalayan Circuit Scheme with the observation that completion of projects is essential as an employment generator and a catalyst to boost the economy of J&K for which tourism is its primary source of income.
Now, after going through the information furnished by the Union Tourism Ministry, the Parliamentary Panel has observed, “in 4 out of 6 projects less than 50% of physical progress has been reported”, adding “we fail to understand the reasons for such slow pace and desired to be apprised whether the six projects under implementation in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir have witnessed any cost escalation”.
On the project titled “Integrated Development of Tourism Infrastructure Projects in Jammu and Kashmir”, 50% progress has been made while as only 40% progress has been made on “Integrated Development of Tourist Facilities at Jammu-Rajouri-Shopian-Pulwama”.
Similarly, 35% progress has been recorded on “Integrated Development of Tourist Facilities at Mantalai-Sudhmahadev-Patnitop”, 30% on “Integrated Development of Tourist Facilities at Anantnag-Kishtwar-Pahalgam-Daksum-Ranjit Sagar Dam” and only 15% on “Integrated Development of Tourist Facilities at Gulmarg-Baramulla-Kupwara-Leh”. However, for construction of assets in lieu of those destroyed in floods of 2014 about 75% progress has been made.
In its 270th report, the Parliamentary Standing Committee had also expressed dismay over disappointingly low percentage of submission of Utilization Certificates by the J&K Government.
“The submission of Utilization Certificates is essential to facilitate the release of funds for the proceeding phase of the respective projects but the J&K Government has been lackadaisical in its submission of Utilization Certificates for projects under implementation, while at the same time, requesting for the release of funds for the proceeding stage”, the Parliamentary Panel had mentioned.
Moreover, the Panel had observed: “The timely submission of Utilization Certificates is critical. Not only does it act as a monitor for progress of a project, but also essential, since funds are released in stages”, adding “tardiness in submission of these Utilization Certificates is indicative of a lack of accountability on the part of the J&K Government”.
Accordingly, the Parliamentary Panel had recommended that the Union Ministry of Tourism in coordination with the Union Ministry of Finance must impress upon the J&K Government to ensure the timely submission of Utilization Certificates as it is vital to the implementation of projects.
The Panel had further recommended that the Union Ministry of Tourism must include the status of submission of Utilization Certificates vis a vis projects under implementation in J&K and reasons for the low percentage of submission of Utilization Certificates and remedial measures required for their speedy liquidation in their Action Taken Reply.
From the reply of the Union Ministry of Tourism it has come to the fore that under Himalayan Circuit Scheme, an amount of Rs 569.19 crore was sanctioned and an amount of Rs 276.46 crore was released. But an amount of Rs 177.06 crore was spent by the Tourism Department of Jammu and Kashmir.
The amount of Rs 569.19 crore was sanctioned for Jammu-Srinagar-Pahalgam-Anantnag-Salamabad-Uri-Kargil-Leh Tourism Circuit, Jammu-Rajouri-Shopian-Pulwawma Circuit; Anantnag-Kishtwar-Pahalgam-Daksum-Ranjit Sagar Circuit; Gulmarg-Baramulla-Kupwara-Leh Circuit; Mantalai-Sudhmahadev-Patnitop Circuit and for construction of assets in lieu of those destroyed in the floods of 2014.
Now, the Parliamentary Panel has noted with concern that as against Rs 276.46 crore released, the amount involved in pending Utilization Certificates is to the tune of Rs 99.4 crore (35% of the amount released) which is substantial. The Panel has asked the Union Tourism Ministry to inform it about the reasons given by the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir for non-submission of UCs.
The Panel has recommended that the Union Tourism Ministry in coordination with the UT of J&K should evolve a multi-pronged strategy for liquidation of pending UCs within a designated time-frame so that the execution of projects is not hamstrung by lack of flow of funds.
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