The harsh reality is that the State of Jammu and Kashmir is unable to implement various Centrally sponsored schemes for reasons best known to the Government. This is a generalization we have stumbled upon while assessing the speed and quantum of implementing central schemes in the State. We have discussed this issue several times and there are certain constraints which create some hardships for the State administration to submit Utilization Certificates in time. The main point is the climatic conditions and topography of the State. It is found that the working days allowed to the State by the weather conditions are half the number of working days in the plain. Most of the State falling under hilly category is snow bound for entire winter months. Secondly, though we have roads connecting towns and villages in the hilly state yet these remain closed owing to heavy snowfall and landslides make quick accessibility very difficult. This is a major disadvantage and it has its impact on the entire scheme when floated.
However, at the same time, we have to say that this cannot and should not be the reason for adopting negative attitude towards fulfilling the norms set forth for launching the schemes in question. In one year, the Ministry of Panchayat has sent five reminders to the State Government to submit the Utilization Certificate for the funds utilized under the scheme of Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) Programme. But it makes no impact on our State administration. There is not even acknowledgement of receipt of reminders. This is not the normal way of conducting administration of a State. Maybe the J&K administration had developed the habit of sleeping over the issue of forwarding Utilization Certificates in the past and the matter was overlooked.
Five districts of the State, which are more backward than the rest of them in the State, were identified for bringing under the programme. In total an amount of Rs 225.16 crore was sanctioned for these districts. The utilization till March 31, 2015 was to the tune of Rs 161.86 crore and the utilization till May 12, 2016 was to the tune of Rs 163.50 crore. Thus Rs. 61.66 crore remained unspent balance. The Secretary of Panchayat Ministry had a meeting with the State authorities in which he emphasized that Utilization Certificates were badly awaited for the pending amount. It will be reminded that only recently, the Chief Minister speaking to the Administrative Secretaries and Commissioners emphasized that Utilization Certificates should be submitted to the Union Government without delay so that there is not halt in flow of funds for various schemes in the pipeline.
It is simply curious that the State Government is not responding to the reminders of the Central Government to the extent that it has compelled the Secretary Panchayat to send a warning letter that in case UC for Rs. 61.66 crore is not forwarded, it will have unhealthy impact as the State will have to refund this amount and release of more funds for central schemes will be in jeopardy. It is not customary for the Central Government to issue warning letters to the States. But in the case of J&K, the point is that reminders have been coming for over a year and the State Government does not care even to respond in positive or negative terms. This explains that there is total lack of responsibility as well as accountability in the State administration. A State that is beset with so many problems especially financial in nature, cannot afford to play casually with serious issues of development, financial implication and policy matters. The concerned at State administrative level have to understand that a working relation has to be established with the Centre and paperwork cannot be avoided as far as fulfillment of norms is concerned. We in this state need to implement the Central schemes with full force because we are in bad need of infrastructural development and then claim for further support to carry forward the task of development.
We would repeat our earlier suggestion that a committee be set up under the leadership of the Chief Secretary to examine the reasons why Centrally sponsored schemes are delayed indefinitely in most cases and what mechanism needs to be adopted to overcome this hurdle.
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