Varmul, Nov 14: The recent district-wise allocation of funds under district plan 2009-10 has evoked strong resentment among the residents who feel their district has been discriminated against by the government.
 As per the district plan 2009-10, Varmul district has been allotted Rs 55.34 crore, for development of the district having a population of 853,344 (as per census 2001) and an area 4183 sq km. The funds allotted amount to Rs 649 per person, lowest among the districts.
 “Funds are being allotted taking into consideration the economic index, population and the area of a particular district. But in case of Varmul district, all the three criteria have been ignored,” said Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Islamia College Srinagar, Ajaz Ahmad Mir.
 The discrimination in the allocation of funds, according to experts, will badly affect a number of projects under execution.
 “Some of the districts with less population and less area and even better economic index have been placed ahead of Varmul district. It is a clear indication that residents of Varmul district have been ill-treated by the present regime,” says Ghulam Rasool, a resident of Varmul town.
 Former Deputy Chief Minister and MLA Varmul, Muzaffar Hussain Baig, said all districts should get equal share so that developmental works are not hampered.
 “During our tenure, allotment of funds to various districts was based on 50% share to the state and 50% to the districts,” he said. Beigh further said that even after two months of Board meetings which were presided over by the Chief Minister, funds had not been released and with the onset of winter the developmental works in various districts were bound to get affected.
 With Rs 2241 per person, Ganderbal tops the list among the 17 districts.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 IST