The Government at the Centre intends to extend Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) for another five years. At the outset, the Union Cabinet has extended the PMDP in health sector till March 31, 2020 by providing budgetary support of Rs. 625.20 crore as total centrally – funded scheme. In its meet chaired by the Prime Minister, the Union Cabinet on March 20, accorded its formal approval to it. It announced continuation of Prime Minister’s Development Package for Jammu and Kashmir 2015 by stepping up of support under creation of infrastructure in District Hospitals, Sub – district Hospitals and Primary Health Centers over 5 years with effect from April1, 2017 to March 31, 2020. This in fact is a red letter day for the state of Jammu and Kashmir. That perhaps amply resonates through the feelings of Dr. Jatindra Singh, Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s office, too who tweeted “Thanks” to the Prime Minister.
This move was most decidedly going to give a fillip to development of health infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir especially in the rural and far – off areas. It may be recalled that the Prime Minister had announced Rs.80,000 crore worth Development Package for Jammu and Kashmir on November 7, 2015. The amount was subsequently enhanced to Rs. one lac crore due to cost escalation of many projects in both State and Central sectors. In order to help the State Government to fully implement the package and complete all projects, the Centre has extended the package in all sectors for five years more. The package would be extended sector wise, to be started in the health sector followed by extension in other sectors as, all the sectors have been beneficiaries of the PMDP.
The State Government had pointed out encountering of certain difficulties in meeting deadlines for many projects in view of limited working season in major parts of Jammu and Kashmir and reluctance shown by some major companies to take up work due to disturbed conditions. However, the centre has asked the state to regularly monitor progress under the said scheme to ensure timely completion of the projects to preempt any further surge in the costs. In other words the “difficulties” shared with the Central Government notwithstanding, the State Government was urged to take time by the forelock.
Unspecified delays in executing of projects unlike other states , not only the projects of Jammu and Kashmir Government were missing timelines but the ones undertaken by the Central Government Corporations and Departments in the central sector too were getting delayed. Top officers of the Central Corporations like National Hydro-electric Power Corporation (NHPC), National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) and other companies, whose officials were executing power projects, have also been equally directed by the MHA to accelerate the projects.
The Central Government has so far sanctioned Rs. 62,236 crore out of Rs. 80,068 crore worth PMDP. However, latest estimates have revealed that cost of the PMDP had increased from Rs. 80,068 crore to around Rs. one lac crore only because of delays which resulted in cost escalation. If these delays and inability of adhering to time schedules were strictly monitored, the state could save the escalated costs as well as have projects ready on time for commissioning. The State must put its best foot forward in ensuring work on projects being adhered to strict time schedules as the reports are that there has been an increase of a mammoth Rs. 21000 crore in the PMDP due to revised cost of various projects . Such delays, we reiterate are a matter of serious concern. That the Centre was going to foot the upward revised cost difference should provide no room for any complacency at the state level.
The dallying and lingering of work on All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) one each at Jammu and Kashmir, smart cities for Jammu and Srinagar and some other mega projects would further increase the cost of the PMDP. It is given to understand that periodic cost revision reviews would be done in order that the delays did not hamper the spirit behind the PMDP and work on projects went on unhindered. A pragmatic approach at the state level was needed to be adopted.
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