Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 11: Once again the lackadaisical approach of the erstwhile PDP led regime has come to fore as many irrigation projects in Jammu region were left unattended causing irreparable losses to the exchequer.
The financial results of seven major irrigation projects namely Kathua Feeder canal, Partap canal, Ranbir canal, Martand canal, Zaingir canal, Ahizi canal, and Dadi canal involving a capital expenditure of Rs 461.84 crore revealed that revenue realised from these schemes during the financial year of 2017-18 when Peoples Democratic Party led government was ruling Jammu and Kashmir was only Rs 0.05 crore (0.01 per cent of the capital outlay of Rs 461.84 crore). Documents in possession of the Early Times newspaper reveal that out of the seven major irrigation projects, there was decrease in revenue receipt of Rs 0.30 crore and Rs 0.05 crore in respect of Ranbir Canal and Partap Canal respectively, as compared to previous year. The revenue receipts of none of the schemes were sufficient to cover even the direct working expenses. After meeting the working expenses and interest charges, the projects suffered a net loss of Rs 3.66 crore (0.79 per cent of the capital outlay). The major loss making projects were Ranbir Canal, Pratap Canal and Kathua Feeder.
The dilatory mode of functioning causing such projects to silently collapse had been going unnoticed as the past helmsmen were adamant in putting the situation under the rug.
Now, when the figures are coming to fore along with the details about how public money was wasted with impunity, there are questions about whether these parties will be taken to task?
In Public Health Engineering Jammu, the total number of incomplete projects was 56 till last year. These projects were sanctioned at the cost of Rs 81.92 crores. The cost of these projects was revised to Rs 110.36 cr, hence the extra expenditure incurred upon these projects of PHE was Rs 69.63 cr.
In the department of Irrigation and Flood Control Kashmir, there were 11 incomplete projects, sanctioned at the cost of 77.48 crore rupees.
Meanwhile, be it the construction of roads, bridges or building power infrastructure, delay has become synonymous to the functioning in Jammu and Kashmir. In the power sector, upgrade of transmission lines and construction of several hydel power projects were earlier obstructed. Two years ago, work on the 850-MW Ratle project on Chenab river at Drabshalla in Kishtwar district was stopped as those who were accorded the project stated that the "atmosphere around the site was insecure.'' The company was forced to do this after people entered its site offices "and harassed the staff demanding employment. At present even, the snail’s pace of work on this multi crore project is raising several eyebrows in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. |
