The State Government had initiated a project for laying of vital power transmission line aimed at providing reliable power connectivity to twin mountainous districts of Doda and Kishtwar. However, though funds to the tune of Rs 35 crore provided by the Centre for the project have been exhausted but there is no trace of the transmission line having been laid on spot. It was the PDD that drew the plan of transmission project on the basis of which the Union Government provided 35 crore rupees for the entire scope of work, which included design, survey, supply, construction, erection, testing and commissioning. Additionally the Central Government’s commitment included all central taxes and duties, toll tax, work contract tax and insurance charges. At that time, the Union Government had made it clear in the Letter of Agreement that nothing extra would be paid for the project. Why despite such munificent offer did not the project see the light of the day is a question that the PDD is required to explain? 132 KV double circuit transmission line between Ramban-Khillani-Kishtwar was taken up under Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan (PMRP) and awarded to KEC International in the year 2007 for completion by June 2009.
The Union Ministry fulfilled its commitment by providing Rs 35.25 crore for the entire work. Eight years after the project was floated, the PDD not having completed the work has raised another issue. It has proposed diversion from the original plan on the plea that according to original plan the alignment was over stretches in Assar area that are prone to landslides and therefore new alignment had to be made and this would add at least Rs 14 crore more to the original budget. Obviously no Central Government authority would not buy this excuse. The Centre refused to meet that additional cost. The State Government was not willing to make contribution from its sources and the result was that the project remains suspended.
Why did not the PDD do good homework before preparing the blue print of transmission project? Why did it construct two grid stations at considerable cost when it knew that the alignment had to be changed? The Monitoring Cell in the office of the Chief Minister had also visited the site and taken stock of things. It found no reason for the PDD to suspend the work and the argument of cost escalation was found untenable. But even then nothing moved and it is now two years that the project remains suspended. In this situation should the state administration rest with merely asking the PDD to submit status report and then plead with it to resume work on the transmission line and thus remain enslaved to its whims and wishes. Let us say in no ambiguous words that the Government is not supposed to succumb to the aberrations of PDD. It has to assert and ensure that developmental work is not held up either for want of funds or logistical support. The responsibilities have to be fixed and persons involved have to bear the consequences. Accountability must work at all costs.
We also understand that the element of politics and political rivalry are taking a heavy toll of our developmental work in the State. It is unfortunate that the standard of our politics and level of some of our political leadership has come down to personal rivalries and vendetta. It is the common people who suffer out of this sordid situation. We hope that with the change of Government, there will be overall improvement in work culture and all pending projects will be revived and brought to completion.
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