No action even on announcements made in 2015
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Apr 1: Lackadaisical approach of all the concerned departments has created impediments in implementing majority of the decisions taken by the District Development Board of Doda one year back. Shockingly, no action has even been taken on those announcements which were made from this important platform more than three years ago by none else than the then Chief Minister of the State. This has clearly established that the importance of this institution is confined to the papers only and in real sense Government doesn’t want to strengthen it.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that during the District Development Board (DDB) meeting of Doda held under the chairmanship of Minister for Social Welfare and Science and Technology Sajad Gani Lone on March 7, 2017, a series of decisions were taken in order to bring significant improvement in certain important sectors and an impression was given that timely action on these decisions will reduce grievances of the people up to large extent.
“However, the ground situation after one year is contrary to what was promised”, sources said, adding “on certain announcements some sort of follow up action has been taken but in respect of other decisions there is no end to lackadaisical approach and these are still confined to the official files”.
It was announced in the DDB meeting that concerned authorities will construct new buildings for 15 schools and 5 Sub Health and New Type Primary Health Centres during 2017-18 financial year. However, only four-five school buildings have been constructed till date while as no building of health centre was completed, sources said, adding “similarly, additional class rooms have been provided to only two-three High and Higher Secondary Schools although announcement was about construction of additional class rooms for at least 12 schools”.
Pointing towards the announcement regarding creation of irrigation facility for vast chunk of agriculture land, sources said, “the seriousness with which this decision has been handled during the past one year can be gauged from the fact that even no source of funding has been identified for Rs 37 crore worth Jodhpur Lift Irrigation Scheme”.
“This project was discussed in DDB meetings during past several years but nobody knows when the work on ground will begin. Now, it is being claimed by the Government that this project has been proposed under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). The dilly-dallying approach is notwithstanding the fact that this project will provide irrigation facility to nearly 15000 kanals of land”, sources further said.
In the DDB meeting of March 2017, it was decided that 11 habitations and 20 educational institutions will be provided tap water. However, this target could not be met so far due to slackness on the part of concerned authorities, sources said, adding “the failure to meet the target is the outcome of poor planning on the part of Department of PHE”.
As far as road sector is concerned, it was announced in the DDB meeting that 50.22 kilometers of road length would be blacktopped, mettled, shingled and made fair weather in the district during 2017-18 financial year. “However, the Roads and Buildings Department could blacktop only 30 kilometers of the road length as such the DDB decision could be implemented partially”, sources said.
What to talk of decisions of DDB meeting of last year, the concerned authorities have failed to give practical shape to certain announcements which were made three years back.
In the DDB meeting chaired by the then Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed it was decided that Skill Development Institute would be established in Doda district to provide technical training to the unemployed youth so that they become eligible for engagement in major projects particularly in power sector. “Not even single step has been initiated till date to implement this decision as such empowering youth with technical training has remained dream”, sources remarked.
Likewise, it was announced by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed that Chenab Valley Development Fund will be created to ensure holistic development of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban. “This announcement has also remained confined to the official files till date”, sources informed. Moreover, no step has been initiated so far to get work on Ramban-Khelani Power Transmission Line started to ensure reliable power supply to twin mountainous districts of Doda and Kishtwar.
The work on this line was suspended in 2011 but no seriousness has been shown either by the previous dispensation or by the present PDP-BJP Coalition Government to ensure restart of work on this vital line.
“All this has clearly established that the importance of institution of DDB is only confined to the papers and in real sense Government doesn’t want to strengthen it by ensuring implementation of its decisions in letter and spirit”, sources said.
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