MLA flays Govt for imposing cut in development plans

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 15: National Panthers Party MLA Harshdev Singh has flayed the State Govt. for effecting a cut of 25% in various developmental plans after the said plans having been approved and finalized by (DDBs) of the State.
In a press statement he said the DDB meetings were held after the approval of the State Annual Plan by the Govt. of India and the State Govt. was well aware of its financial resources. He said that the DDBs were allocated funds initially after thoroughly scrutinizing the availability of funds during the current financial year as approved under State Annual Plan.
Under such circumstances the curtailment of 25% effected in the approved plans by the State Govt. was highly intriguing and mischievous. He said it was further ridiculous that the State Govt. after effecting the curtailment had once again issued a circular to all districts to reframe the District Plans in the light of altered plan outlays. It was the first time that such a mockery was committed by the Govt. and termed the same as financial impropriety and irregularity of a grave order. He said that Govt. was saving funds to be utilized through back door and in violation of financial norms in certain selected and favourite constituencies.
Mr. Singh further flayed the Govt. for withholding funds under various Centrally sponsored as well as State sector schemes despite the lapse of first six months of the current financial year. He mentioned in particular the ‘ Bad Pocket Plan’ which was not released till date despite the fact that such bad pocket areas had a very limited working season and usually became inaccessible after the winter snowfall thus making the launch of development schemes impossible in such areas. Not only that, Mr. Singh claimed that the ‘Bad Pocket Plan’ had been drastically cut down from Rs. 50 crore in the previous financial year to just Rs. 10 crore in the current financial year.