The practice is that the Central Ministries float various developmental schemes from time to time and convey these to the State Governments for implementation. The Centre provides funding and guidelines for these schemes. Time factor is an important component of such projects. Ministries concerned insist on State Governments to bring about the completion of these projects within the specified times. However, as far as our State is concerned, in most of such projects, it has not been able to keep the time schedule. Apart from that, the State Government has also been encountering difficulties and obstructions in implementing the project as per the guidelines. This has become a serious issue and the State Government has often found itself in embarrassing situation. Probably, some more states too have had trouble in the execution of such projects.
In these columns, we have often taken up this discourse and tried to know the reasons why invariably there are inordinate delays in the execution or completion of these projects. We have repeatedly suggested the Government to initiate a discussion of this matter in its entirety. After all, we cannot afford to lose the benefits of good projects if we are interested in ensuring development of the State. It seems that finally, the Central Government has realized the need of opening the matter for serious discussion with the stakeholders. In the process, the Prime Minister has constituted the Group of Chief Ministers to recommend several modifications in the process of implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes. Especially this process has become necessary for the Special Category States including Jammu and Kashmir. The exercise is desired to contribute maximally towards the achieving of the goals of Vision 2022. The Group of Chief Ministers has forwarded its recommendations to the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog headed by the Prime Minister.
We are informed that Chief Minister Mufti Mohd. Sayeed has made some important and meaningful suggestions in the meetings of the Sub-Group of the Chief Ministers aimed at our State enjoying enough flexibility in implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes and topography and the climatic conditions would not create any major impediment as these did in the past. Sub-Group has given due weight to the major recommendations made by Mufti Sayeed. To sum up his important recommendation, firstly, 90:10 funding pattern for the core schemes stands endorsed and investment level has to be maintained. Secondly, limited number of workdays in a year owing to climatic conditions should be factored into the guidelines. Release of funds has to be simplified and instead of yearly releases, quarterly release of funds should be made the pattern. Thirdly, J&K and other Himalayan States are faced with high cost of delivery meaning cost of material, construction, transportation etc. The recommendation is that the States will determine cost norms in construction component of the schemes subject to capping of allocation by the Centre. Fourthly, the Sub-Group has suggested flexibility in schemes and institutional mechanism. Twenty-five per cent allocations in a scheme should be flexi-fund and design of Centrally Sponsored Schemes should be with large number of admissible components in a scheme and the States being free to choose components to suit their local needs. Lastly, about incomplete projects, the recommendation is that all works begun in projects in existence in 2014-15 in which work is awarded until March 31, 2015 funding should be on the existing pattern for the next two years.
We find that the Sub-Group of Chief Ministers has largely accommodated the concerns of the J&K State and that the Chief Minister has pleaded his case very well. Hindsight shows that the bottlenecks to which the suggestions of the Chief Minister refers, are the real impediments in the path of timely execution of the projects. The Chief Minister has made a cogent suggestion: have a permanent forum for States to frequently meet and discuss the issues relevant to economic development of the State. Take the case of Jammu and Kashmir, we find that unlike General Category States, the hilly State of Jammu and Kashmir is lagging behind in attracting private investment due to topography and climatic conditions.
We are sanguine that that the NIIT Ayog will consider these recommendations as very reasonable and bring about a reform in the system as a matter of principle. If that is done, major hurdles in the way of J&K State in bringing Centrally Sponsored Schemes to completion within the period will be removed. The ultimate purpose is to help the state develop its economy, industries, and the standard of life. After these recommendations are accepted and implemented, our State should have no reason or justification to delay central projects.
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