Public Private Partnership has emerged as a new concept of developmental mode. It is a modern concept and many countries have introduced it, some on experimental basis and others on regular basis. Economists aver that PPP is highly beneficial for the development of infrastructure in such states as are deficient of the same. In regard to our State, we are largely deficient of infrastructure. Despite sustained efforts by the Government agencies, the type and pattern of infrastructure that we need in our State could not be found forthcoming. Naturally, this has been a matter of serious concern for the Government.
Roping in private capital also enhances chances of roping in new technologies and industrial innovation. Generally speaking, in Government sector induction of new technology and especially innovative experiments is less encouraged in comparison to the private sector. It is so because the private sector has to deal with cutthroat competition. Apart from this, the known shortcoming in necessary infrastructure in our State was also the consideration before the Government to pursue the idea of PPP. The State Cabinet under the chairmanship of the then Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed took a decision in December 2015 that eight key Governments departments will come up with PPP proposals for consideration of the Government and their finalization at the highest level. Consequently a PPP cell was established in the Finance Department to coordinate all infrastructural projects to be taken in the sectors of roads, tourism, housing, urban, sports, technical education, health, horticulture and industries and mining. This was followed by the Government constituting a Steering Committee with Chief Secretary B R Sharma as its Chairman and Administrative Secretaries of Finance, Planning, Revenue and Law as its members. The mandate of this Committee was to oversee the selection, formulation and implementation of the PPP within the laid down time line.
We understand that the essential purpose of the Government was to harness capital and expertise because the State has deficiency of both. The Government has the funding problem and paucity of resources to raise funds. But at the same time it was not free for all. PPP was expected to boost the infrastructure, efficiency and capacity for innovation. Conditions for acceptance of any PPP scheme were clearly stated.
However, the Cabinet decision did not receive the expected response from the eight identified departments except the Estates Department which is reported to have submitted two proposals. Non-cooperation of no fewer than eight departments is alarming. It indicates the level of irresponsibility and dereliction of duty. It has to be noted that the identified sectors are crucial to the development of the State and of primary need to the general public.
Passing on the buck is the art refined by some of the Government responsible functionaries and agencies. The Steering Committee has not met even once leave aside performing the duties assigned to it. Who would be obstructing the PPP mode and why is the real question. Under PPP, the Government departments lose control on the finance and administrative part of the projects undertaken. Both of these two go against the vested interests. There are the agencies that obstruct the plan of the Government. How the new Chief Minister is going to handle this issue remains to be seen. Overlooking the dereliction of duty by no fewer than eight Secretaries of crucial departments cannot be taken lying low by the Government. Action under rules must follow and the Government has to assert its authority.
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