| Deadline expires, Industrial Estate Ghatti yet to take off | | In last two financial years, not a single penny released | | Akshay Azad
JAMMU, Dec 14: Contrary to tall claims of providing better infrastructure for investment in state, the establishment of Industrial Estate Ghatti is still hanging on air as only 24 percent of funds have been released by Union Government for establishment of project.
Sources informed Early Times that in the year 2009, State Industrial Development Corporation (SIDCO) had started work on establishment of Ghatti Kathua, which was being funded by Government of India.
The proposed date for completion of project was September 2013 but so far the project is miles away from completion as the funding agency, Government of India had stopped funding to the project due to some reasons.
"The project was approved by the State Cabinet vide decision No. 88/6/2009 on June, 13, 2009 for an amount of Rs 81.15 Crore which includes Rs 22.925 Crore for acquisition of land and Rs 58.23 Crore as development cost", sources said.
They further said that against the approved cost of Rs. 58.23 Crore, for development of project, only Rs. 14.19 Crore have been released by Union Government.
They further said that out of total funds Rs. 6 Crore were released in 2009-10, Rs. 4 Crore in 2010-11 and Rs. 4.18 Crore in 2011-12, but not a single penny had been released by Union Government in two last financial years including 2012-13 and 2013-14.
"Only 82% of land has been acquired and some of the essential works approved under the project taken up at site. The pace of execution remained sluggish due to stoppage of funding in subsequent years and un-certainty of getting necessary clearances from concerned quarters", sources said.
"Moreover, the funding / expenditure details with regard to land acquisition, for which an amount of Rs 22.925 Crore had been earmarked in the project, are not available with the J&K SIDCO Ltd", an official seeking anonymity said.
He further said that out of total proposed land 3502 Kanals, which was to be acquired, so far only 82 percent of land, that was 2886 Kanals has been acquired by the SIDCO.
"The delay in getting environment clearance from Ministry of Environment and Forest and by National Wild Life Board could be attributed to delay in completion of project", sources said, adding that the clearance had recently been granted by said Ministries in August 2013.
Unless the infrastructure, such as roads, lanes, drains, water supply, electric supply, etc. necessary in the industrial estate, are developed to a certain level, it is unlikely that any industrialist would be willing to set up a unit at Ghatti", an official of team visiting the site said. |
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