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| PMRP goes haywire, reflects ineffective governance: PC | | | Syed Junaid Hashmi
JAMMU, Jun 14: Planning Commission of India (PCI) has expressed displeasure over staggered pace at which developmental works which are being funded through Prime Minister's Reconstruction Plan (PMRP) are going on across the state.
Commission has asked the state government to stop referring to fragile security situation as one of the reasons for staggered pace of developmental works. Commission has reminded the government that despite making tall promises, it has failed to speed up the implementation of PMRP. A planning commission source said that of the developmental works completed, majority are in the central sector.
He added that around 15 works are running behind schedule. "State government has been unable to deliver. Despite constant hammering, state has virtually failed to ensure timely completion of developmental works," said the source. He maintained that J&K has failed to create an effective working and monitoring mechanism. "Bureaucracy considers J&K a conflict and seemingly does not take much interest in pulling up the ground staff owing to which the works are getting delayed," asserted the source.
He informed that PMRP, initiated in 2004 for a five-year period, has already been extended thrice while adding that the program's term expired in 2008-09 and was extended by the centre for financial years 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12. Referring to a confidential report, he said "Out of 67 projects/schemes, 31 have been completed and work is in progress at snail's pace on 33 other projects."
He did not hesitate in saying that lack of pace clearly indicates ineffective governance. "Look at Gujarat where it has reached during the last 10 years. Effective and good governance does bring permanent change in the fortunes of a state. J&K should take up Gujarat as an example and follow suit," added the source. He stressed that J&K should stop giving the excuse of fragile security situation for it inefficiency.
Mughal road project is a fitting example of ineffective state machinery, said the source. He informed that state is more concerned about politicizing this road and seemingly not much interested in its early completion. "Whose road is this is a much bigger and important question for the state government then when would it be completed. 6 years have passed and state is yet to complete this 84 kilometer road," said the official source.
Expressing deep regret, the source said that Rs. 159 crore was required for the completion of this infamous and historic road when the work began in the year 2006. He added that cost escalated over a period of time and presently, estimates have been put at Rs. 639.85 crore for completing the road.
The road which has already missed around 7 to 8 deadlines is now slated to be thrown open for traffic in March 2013. Project for double laning of Batote-Kishtwar Road (NH 1B) was sanctioned for 265 kilometers in May, 2002 and original estimates were Rs.463.00 crore. However, inability of state government to adhere to time schedule has resulted in cost escalation and now the road is likely to be completed at an estimated cost of Rs. 855.42 crore.
Physical progress is 61.58 percent and target date of completion is December 2013. Similarly, Srinagar-Uri-LoC road upgradation is also going on at snail's pace. The project was sanctioned for 94 kilometers in March-2005. This road was scheduled to be completed in March-April 2010 and is now likely to be made operational by December 2013. Crucial Uri - Salamabad-Kamanpost (LoC) road is also running behind schedule.
Rural electrification of 14 districts under RGGVY was sanctioned at a revised cost of Rs. 904.18 crore. The project was slated to be finished by year 2010 and is now likely to be completed by March, 2013. Bursar and Pakal Dul hydroelectric projects are yet to be approved for funding under PMRP. These projects require funding of more than Rs. 9000 crore for timely completion. A number of other projects are running behind schedule.
When asked, an official of the state planning department said "Centre is not happy over the slow progress on most of the developmental projects taken up under PMRP." He added hat centre had told the state last year that it would not extend the PMRP deadline beyond 2012. However, habitual of begging, we have managed another extension.
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