Jammu, Aug 9: Following Centre’s dissatisfaction over the slow implementation of the Water Shed Management Programme (WSMP) in J&K and instances of corruption at various levels, the government has asked the project directors to send monthly reports from their respective areas.
 Sources said the directions had been issued to the district administration to monitor the works and send reports to the Administrative Department to study the achievements on the targets set by the government. 
 “Government is not happy with the way money is being spent on the projects undertaken under WSMP and it could turn out to be another embarrassment so far as the implementation of centrally sponsored projects are concerned”, said a senior official associated with the project.
 Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir said, “I have taken many review meetings and officials have been told to monitor the projects. There should be total accountability about the way the money is being spent”.
 He said these projects create huge employment opportunities and if implemented in proper way would also solve many problems plaguing the rural areas.
 “I have asked the implementing agencies to consult local legislators to identify the areas to be taken under the programme for better management”, Mir said.
 Pertinently, about 30 Water Shed Projects are being implemented in the state involving Rs 25.58 crore to be spent under Micro Management Programme.
 As per the data there are 560 projects (Micro Watersheds) sanctioned to J&K under centrally sponsored projects since 1995-1996. Presently work on 528 projects (Micro Watersheds) is going in the state.
 Number of the centrally sponsored programme have been implemented in J&K which include Integrated Wasteland Development Programme (IWDP), Drought Prone Areas Programme (DPAP) and Desert Development Programme (DDP) for development of waste/degraded lands through watershed approach, but due to the lackadaisical attitude of the officials at different levels, targets set by the government have not been achieved.
 Most of the programme get direct central funding and are aimed at covering the areas, particularly the farming communities which depend on the rainfall for agriculture production.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 9 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 9 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST