Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 22: Acute power crisis in Jammu region, far less allocation of annual plan for 2012-13 despite it being the highest ever, new Water Supply Schemes and delay in start of Super Specialty Hospital (SSH) besides a host of local issues dominated the District Development Board (DDB) meeting of Jammu held here today.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the chairman of the DDB Jammu, presided over the meeting.
As reported exclusively by the Excelsior today, Jammu district was given highest ever Rs 106 crore (105.62 crore) worth annual plan for 2012-13 as against Rs 99 crore of 2011-12 but majority of Oppositions MLAs from Jammu district resented meager hike in the plan saying for past 10 years, there had been no significant increase in annual plan of the district notwithstanding the fact that Jammu happened to be summer capital of the State, its population had nearly touched 15 lakh and it was largest district in the State with 11 Assembly segments and had to cope with migrants from all parts.
Official sources told the Excelsior that at the very outset majority of Opposition MLAs including Prof Chaman Lal Gupta, leader of BJP rebel group, Ashok Khajuria (BJP) and Ashwani Sharma (JSM) raised the issue of acute power crisis in Jammu region in general and Jammu district in particular during this summer.
“Never in the past such enormous power cuts have been witnesses in Jammu district. On many occasions, people had to stay without power for 48 hours together. The Government did nothing to mitigate sufferings of the people’’, the MLAs said and called upon the Chief Minister, who holds the portfolio of power, to take immediate steps to improve power supply in the region or else the people would be forced to take to the streets.
Sources said Omar, while taking note of the concern raised by the MLAs, said the State Government had been facing deficit of Rs 2500 crores annually on account of power, which was increasing every year.
“We are purchasing power worth over Rs 3200 to Rs 3400 crores as against Rs 1000 crore odd revenue. Till the reforms were introduced, the problem would persist’’, he said and asked the MLAs to persuade people to disclose their load properly and pay according to power usage so that the Government was in a position to provided adequate power supply to the people.
The Chief Minister disclosed that the State Government had supplied more power to Jammu this year as compared to last year but added that the demand has increased.
The MLAs, however, said the people have started paying revenue and the Power Development Department has also installed electronic meters. It was now duty of the Government to provide round-the-clock power supply during summer, they added.
Sources said the Chief Minister, his Cabinet colleagues and top bureaucrats had some tough moments pacifying the MLAs on power crisis in Jammu but assured them that steps would be taken to minimize the power curtailment.
On approval of Rs 105.62 crore worth plan for Jammu district, the MLAs described it as “too less to cope up with fast expanding Jammu districts’’ with nearly 15 lakh population and being largest with 11 Assembly constituencies and capital district during summer. They said Jammu can’t be compared with other districts as besides being the capital of the Government for six months, it had to face migration from all over the region.
Sources said the Chief Minister assured that the plan would go up with release of additional funds in November-December during review meeting.
They added that plan of Jammu district was expected to go up to Rs 120 crore after the release of additionalities. Moreover, sources said, Rs 30 to Rs 40 crore worth works were under construction in Jammu by the Economic Re-construction Agency (ERA), Rs 100 crore worth Fly Over from Vikram Chowk to Satwari would be taken up this year, Rs 100 crore worth fourth bridge on Tawi would be completed by December, Rs 15-20 crore would come under City Action Plan, Rs 100 crore would be given under Centrally Sponsored Scheme—NREGS while Rs 40-50 crore would come under other mega projects.
The MLAs also voiced concern over shortage of drinking water or supply of impure water in some areas. A number of MLAs were of the view that many Departments didn’t become active in Jammu, which was the root cause of sufferings of the people.
“There was no check on massive traffic jams. The dug up roads were not being re-constructed. The three-wheelers have fixed their own rates. None bothered to check meters of autos. The buses kept moving inside the City. The matadors have fixed their own stops. The shopkeepers have kept own stamp machines to fix rates and loot the people with impunity. Everything has gone haywire due to slackness of many Departments, which were not performing their duty’’, the MLAs said, adding that every task has been left for the Deputy Commissioner to perform, which was not possible.
The Chief Minister, the Ministers and the bureaucrats assured to take up the matter and activate the Departments.
Sources said MLA Bishnah, Ashwani Sharma raised the issue of delay in construction of Super Specialty Hospital, part of Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu, at Resham Ghar, causing inconvenience to the ailing community. He sought immediate launch of the hospital.
BJP MLA Ashok Khajuria hailed the Government for sanction of Rs 27 crore for parallel Circular Road in Jammu East constituency represented by him.
Prof Chaman Lal Gupta said the Government has not appointed any Principal in the GMC Jammu even after 22 days of the retirement of Dr Rajinder Singh while no steps were being taken to expedite construction of Super Specialty Hospital in Jammu.
Omar said a State Planning Board will be set up this year to achieve development goals in the State.
“There is need for comprehensive planning as an important aspect in the equitable and holistic development of the state and a State Planning Board is being constituted this year to achieve development goals in consonance with the aspirations of the people,” he said.
He said reaching out to all areas in development process and mitigating difficulties of people were the priorities of the coalition government.
Omar said the proposed State Planning Board would address all issues pertaining to development across the state.
The Chief Minister said a Rs 500 crore project for supply of safe drinking water to greater Jammu by utilising Chenab water is being negotiated with Asian Development Bank.
“We have received positive indication from ADB in this regard,” he said adding that DPR for the project will be prepared and referred to the ADB for finances.
Omar said 200 roads have been upgraded last year while 257 roads are being black-topped this year. Besides, Rs 50 crore is being earmarked for macadamising of roads in the district this year.
He also said arrangements of funds for Jammu circular road is being worked out. The construction of Bikram Chowk Flyover is likely to be taken up by December.
Omar said that Rs. 35 crores have been spent on macadamization of Jammu city roads last year while Rs. 20 crores were spent on black topping of rural roads. He said as many as 200 roads have been upgraded last year while 257 roads are being black topped this year. He said that an amount of Rs. 50 crore is being incurred on macadamization of roads in the district this year. He said that arrangements of funds for Jammu circular road are being worked out. He said under PMGSY 20 new schemes are being taken up in hand.
He said 8-laning of B. C. Road is linked with the rehabilitation and re-location of large number of affected traders and households. “We are working on the issue and negotiation with Asian Development Bank in this regard is also on”, he said.
Omar said that work on artificial lake and 4th bridge on river Tawi is going on apace adding that 4th bridge is likely to be completed in November-December this year. He said he has asked the concerned department to fast track work on approach roads so that benefit of the bridge accrued to the people.
On high profile projects, the Chief Minister said that a modern abettor is coming up at cost of Rs. 20 crores while as Jammu Convention Complex is being constructed at a cost of Rs. 24.10 crores and Rs. 5 crores have been earmarked for its construction this year. He said Rs. 27 crores have been arranged for Mubarak Mandi Complex while Rs. 5 crores has been earmarked for Abhinav Theatre. He said 88 kanals of land has been identified for Indian Institute of Mass Communication.
The Chief Minister directed the District Development Commissioner, Jammu to identify land for Shamshan Ghats at various places in Jammu district the demand for which was highlighted in the Board meeting by the legislators. He asked the District Development Commissioner to prepare report and submit the same to the Planning Department for funding in this regard.
District Development Commissioner Sanjeev Verma presented resume of the physical and financial achievements registered in the district during the last year. He presented the details of the current district plan and highlighted the demands projected by the legislators.
The DDB meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand, Minister for Health, Sham Lal Sharma, Minister for Revenue, Raman Bhalla, Minister for Industries, S. S. Slathia, Advisor to the Chief Minister, Mubarak Gul, Political Advisor to Chief Minister, Devender Singh Rana, Vice Chairmen of Advisory Boards, Mushtaq Ahmad Bukhari, Rachpal Singh, B. A. Naaz, Swaran Lata Bhagat, Kuldeep Raj Verma, legislators from Jammu distirct, Chaman Lal Gupta, Ashok Khajuria, Jugal Kishore, B. R. Bhagat, Yashpal Kuindal, Ajat Shatru Singh, Sukhnandan, Bharat Bushan, Bimla Luthra, Indu Pawar, B. R. Kundal, Gharu Ram, Sham Lal Choudhary, Chief Secretary, Madhav Lal, Principal Secretary Planning, B. B. Vyas, Divisional Commissioner, Pradeep Gupta, IG Jammu, Dilbagh Singh, Heads of the Departments, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Sanjeev Verma and other district officers.
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