Report card of Union Ministry of Urban Development shows tardy and slothful performance by the State Government in the matter of implementing development of infrastructure in identified cities and towns of the State under Jawharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) launched in 2006-07. The report says that hardly fifty per cent of the overall developmental targets have been achieved. In some specific areas like Sewerage only 40 per cent work has been completed. Various Central schemes like UIG and UIDSSMT were floated four years ago with financial support from the Central Government but despite lapse of more than four years nothing has been virtually done on the ground. Earlier in these columns we had spoken of some more projects left to the negligence and apathy, all to the loss of common man. Under Urban Infrastructure Governance five projects were sanctioned for the State. But the report says that not even one of the five projects has been taken in hand. One of the schemes was of comprehensive Sewerage Scheme for Division A of Greater Jammu project supported by the Union Ministry of Urban Development in December 2006. Till December 2012 only 40 per cent of this project has been completed. The project has been marred by inter-departmental conflicts and clashes resulting in inordinate delay in bringing it to completion. It is unfortunate that on the one hand we are starved of requisite funds for the projects and therefore have to approach the Central Government which is somewhat frugal in sanctioning grants but on the other hand, we are unable to utilize the funds provided to us within the stipulated time. This conflicting situation must end. The Chief Minister can delegate authority to the project managing body to suggest ways how inter-departmental conflicts can be eliminated so that smooth running of projects is ensured.
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