Avinash Azad
Early Times Report
Jammu, Mar 12: Overlooking the climate and geographical conditions of Jammu region, the Kashmir centric "Expenditure Reforms" order has gagged entire development activity of the region.
As per the Expenditure Reforms: Streamlining and Speeding up of spending in government departments, order various departments involved in infrastructure developmental activities have to complete 70 percent of works by end of December 31, but as per experts it is not possible in Jammu due climate difference between both regions.
"In the context of timely release of funds (in the month of February 2017 itself) by both the Finance and Planning and Development Department, there is absolutely no reason that balanced pace of expenditure should not be ensured by all the departments. Accordingly, the decision conveyed in February 2017 itself is reiterated again that expenditure during the last quarter of the Financial Year 2017-18 shall be limited to 30 per cent budget allocation on both Revenue and Capex side", Govt 310-F of 2017, dated 16/10/2017 read. The order further read that all the un-utilized funds over and above 30 per cent of the budgeted amount on both Revenue and Capex side as on 31st December 2017 shall be automatically forfeited and will not be allowed to be used for any other purposes. "In the month of March 2018, the expenditure shall not be more than 15% of the Budget Estimates", the order revealed.
However, terming the 'expenditure reform' as tragedy with Jammu, a senior bureaucrat, wishing not to be named said that it was nothing but a regional bias with Jammu.
"In Jammu first quarter, i.e. April to June goes to meet codal formalities, and two months July-August go waste due to rainy season, it is not possible to execute construction or other infrastructural development activities during, rainy season", the Bureaucrat said. He further said that most of the works start in month of September, how it is possible to cover 70 percent of works in just less than four months i.e. by end of December, as the order makes its mandatory.
"De-silting works into Ranbir Canal, cannot take place due to the hurdled created by the order", said an Engineer of PHE, IF&C Department. "The Minister has passed the directions to start the work, but the department has not funds for the purpose", he added.
Similarly various purposed works other departments, like PWD, R&B and Rural Development Department, in Jammu have come to halt. "Unfortunately, no one form Jammu (our representatives) even sitting Ministers have raised any objection over the biased Expenditure Reforms introduced by the state government", said a contractor and added that per for financial emergency imposed by the state government in Jammu , most of the funds even without executing works have been forfeited.
"Minister for PHE, IF&C Sham Lal has twice taken up the matter with the Chief Minister, but his efforts yield nothing", said a senior functionary of his department, and added that the Minister has an appointment with the Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti and it is expected that may she modify government's order.
Sources said that the 'Financial Emergency' has shaken two department headed by BJP Ministers. "Two other Departments, PWD, R&B and RDD both are suffers but, both the Ministers are from PDP quota and they cannot oppose the decision taken by giving preference to Kashmir Valley", they added. Sources said that however, the order does not impose any restriction over centrally sponsored schemes. |
