Irked by the delays in completion of developmental projects in Jammu and Kashmir, Governor’s administration has directed all the heads of the departments to submit monthly details of work done on developmental projects with a bring accountability to ensure timely completion of central as well as state funded projects.
According to a senior official of planning department,Governor Satya Pal Malik during a recent interaction with the AdministrativeSecretaries “expressed his concern over delay in completion of developmentalprojects in J&K of public importance.”
“There is no dearth of funds, but poor execution of work ishampering the timely completion of projects. It is mandatory for departmentalheads to submit utilization certifications to central government for seekingfunds. But unfortunately when the work on ground is not completed, they are notin position then submit UCs which hampers the flow of funds to the state,” hesaid adding that “Administrative Secretaries have been asked to appoint thenodal officers whose role would be to furnish details before submitting it tothe Governor’s secretariat.”
Following Governor’s direction, Principal Secretary toPlanning Development and Monitoring Department, Rohit Kansal has issued anorder which reads as “Planning Development and Monitoring department requestedall administrative secretaries to furnish the monthly note regarding majordevelopmental activities and achievements to PD&MD by or before 29th ofevery month so that the consolidated report could be forwarded to the governorsecretariat in time bound manner.”
“Pertinently the note should inter-alia include monthlyachievements on various parameters like physical targets/achievements, detailsof projects/ schemes, competed/ inaugurated/ foundation stones laid, newinitiative taken, revenue generated , new posts created/ appointment orderissued, new policies/ guidelines, notifications, SROs framed and issued,grievance received and disposed off.”
“Further it is requested to designate nodal officer in thisregard who shall be responsible for submitting a desired information on themonthly basis in a time bound manner, to planning development and monitoring .The details of nodal officer may also shared PD&MD,” reads the PD&MDorder.
Failure of Jammu and Kashmir Government and its engagedexecuting agencies to complete ten mega infrastructure projects on time in thestate has resulted in cost overrun of 102 percent from Rs 25,238 crore to Rs51,229 crore over the years.
Similarly the much-hyped projects undertaken under Primeminister Development package are also facing delaying in completion. Out of Rs 82,452 crore package, J&K hasso far utilised only over 40 percent funds of the approved amount.
The tardy utilisation, according to sources, is mostly dueto “failure” of authorities at the helm of affairs to execute projects on timeand “delay in submitting the utilization certificates of work done to thecentral government.”