EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Dec 1: The undue delay in release of funds by the Government, many projects under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) either could not see the completion or failed to take off, which has back-tracked this ambitious project of the Government of India.
Moreover, the Finance Department of JK UT, which was directed to pay interest to the concerned executing agency for making delay in releasing of funds even failed to pay the same till date.
They further said that the funds which are released by the Ministry of Rural Development to the Finance Department of a UT or State, which are further released to the executing agency i.e Jammu and Kashmir State-Rural Roads Development Agency but it was observed that the Finance Department has continuously been making delay in release of funds from 2013.
“As per guidelines the funds are required to be transferred to the Jammu and Kashmir State-Rural Roads Development Agency within three days from the date of receipt, failing which the State Government was liable to pay interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum for the period of delay beyond the specified period,” they added.
They further said that the liability of the Finance Department has reached to Rs 50 Cr, which has not been paid till date. Sources in the Department informed that matter has been taken up with the Finance Department from time to time but the fact remains that neither funds were released within the prescribed time period nor was interest paid by the Finance Department. Despite repeated attempts to contact the concerned official, he could not be available for his comments. |