Akshay Azad
JAMMU, Sept 2: Jammu and Kashmir Government's demands for hike in annual allocations from the centre have been tenuous and unfounded as its has failed to utilize funds allocated to it under flagship centrally sponsored schemes of mass welfare during the year such as under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) and Jawahar Lal Nehru National Urban Renewable Mission (JNNURM).
Under AIBP scheme, the Union Government had released only Rs. 207 crores for minor projects in financial year 2012-13 out of total Rs. 450 Crores sanctioned under AIBP scheme, besides not a single penny was released for major and medium projects during previous financial year, sources said, failure of state Government to use the funds has been affecting plans to more land under irrigation.
"For the financial year 2013-14, a total of 426 projects are approved under AIBP by state Government, out of which around 102 have been identified as on their final stage," sources informed, adding that the construction work on the projects, which are at their final stage was yet to start.
Moreover, an official seeking anonymity said that for the financial year 2013-14, the funds approved by Union Government under AIBP were Rs. 650 Crores, but from the present situation, it has been clear that only little bit of funds would be sanctioned by Planning Commission of India under AIBP.
The PCI has increased funds under various schemes as under JNNURM, PCI has approved Rs. 520 Crores for current financial year against Rs. 403 Crores for previous financial year, besides under Border Road Area Development Programme (BRADP) PCI has enhanced funds from Rs. 128 Crores in last financial year to Rs. 148 Crores for this financial year.
Sources said that the funds under above said schemes have been enhanced by PCI owing to fact that state Government would not be able to manage release of funds from PCI during current financial year. |
