Bandipora, May 23: Conferred district status two years back, Bandipora woefully lacks in wherewithal essential for a town, much less a district. Attaining district status, according to the locals here, had hardly brought any change in terms of infrastructure and other basic amenities to this place.
 “Although elevating Bandipora to district level was a correct decision, but successive governments have failed to provide for the requirements essential for a district. They have done nothing except sending some administrative staff to man the dingy and dilapidated government offices,” they said. 
 Sources said in the last three years the newly created district had received Rs 143.43 crore for developmental works, “however except construction of residential block for district officers at Rs 2.12 crore, nothing has been done.”
 Sources said Rs 30.23 crore were approved by the government for the development in the district in 2007 District Development Board meeting. 
 “Rs 6.81 crore were allocated for education sector, Rs 5 crore for roads and bridges, Rs 3 crore for health, Rs 2.52 crore for PHE, Rs 2.80 crore for agriculture and allied sectors and Rs 1.30 crore for providing nutrition.”
 “The annual district plan was enhanced 34 percent to Rs 52.27 crore for 2008,” sources said. 
  “The pace of works in the district had been so sluggish that things have almost remained unchanged,” said Nizamudin Wani, president Bandipora People’s Welfare Association (BPWA), adding that the development activities had come to a standstill during last one year.
 “The district lacks the proper basic facility for which people are protesting day in and out” said Muhammad Isamil of Traders’ Federation Bandipora.
 “From water to health we are lagging behind in every sector. We have no proper transport,” said a shopkeeper Mushtaq Ahmad.
 “Government has yet to set up an industrial estate in the district with the result the unemployed youths have no alternative but to wander for sake of job,” locals said.
 “Health services are also well below the required standard as the only civil hospital is craving for facilities like adequate staff and bed strength.”
 “The mini-secretariat, which was originally scheduled to complete in 2008, will take years to complete,” they said.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 23 May 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 23 May 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 24 May 2010 00:00:00 IST