Neither professional CEOs appointed nor PMCs engaged
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Mar 14: Notwithstanding much hype created by the PDP-BJP Coalition Government, uncertainty is still prevailing over start of work on development of Jammu and Srinagar as Smart Cities as Housing and Urban Development Department has failed to vigorously pursue with Union Government the issue of release of first installment of funds under Centrally Sponsored Smart City Mission.
Moreover, neither professional Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Jammu Smart City Limited and Srinagar Smart City Limited have been engaged till date nor Project Management Consultancies (PMCs), which otherwise are prerequisite as per the guidelines of the Mission for start of work on the projects.
EXCELSIOR in its edition dated October 17, 2017 had exclusively highlighted that work on Jammu and Srinagar Smart Cities Projects was unlikely to begin during 2017-18 financial year and non-release of funds by the Union Housing and Urban Development Ministry till date especially when the current financial year is about to end has substantiated the report.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that Housing and Urban Development Department of the State vide Letter No.HUD/Plan/66/2017 dated October 5, 2017 had submitted a proposal to the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Development for release of first installment of due Central Share amounting to Rs 195 crore. However, till date the funds have not been released by the Union Ministry.
“The most shocking aspect is that neither the Housing and Urban Development Department headed by Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh nor the Chief Secretary approached the Union Ministry to ascertain the reasons behind inordinate delay in release of first installment of funds”, they said, adding “it seems that all the concerned authorities of the State turned complacent after submission of proposal seeking release of funds and never tried to vigorously pursue the same with the concerned quarters in the Union Housing and Urban Development Ministry”.
An officer of the Housing and Urban Development Department, when contacted, confirmed that funds were still awaited from the Union Government. He even failed to specify reasons behind the same. However, sources said that delay in meeting prerequisites by the concerned authorities in Jammu and Kashmir might be the reason behind non-release of funds by the Centre.
They disclosed that neither professional Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) nor Project Management Consultancies (PMCs) have been engaged for Jammu Smart City Limited and Srinagar Smart City Limited despite lapse of considerable period of time.
The applications for engaging professional CEOs were invited by the Chairman and Director Jammu and Srinagar Smart City Limited vide Advertisement Notice No. HUD/Plan/66/2017-II dated November 15, 2017. However, the process has not reached logical conclusion till date, sources said while disclosing that interviews of the candidates who had applied for the posts of CEOs have yet not been conducted by the concerned authorities. These appointments are necessary as per the Smart City Guidelines of the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.
Similarly, Project Management Consultancies (PMCs) have not been engaged by the Jammu Smart City Limited and Srinagar Smart City Limited, sources said while disclosing that though several firms participated in the Expression of Interest floated by the concerned authorities yet process has not reached the logical conclusion so far despite the fact that the PMCs have to play an important role in giving practical shape to the project proposals.
“All this indicates that there is no end to the uncertainty over start of work on development of Jammu and Srinagar as Smart Cities”, sources said. They, however, said that work on some projects like multi-storey parking at Bus Stand Jammu and Intelligent Traffic Lights System is going on through convergence mode.
It is pertinent to mention here that both Jammu and Srinagar, the twin rotational capital cities of State made it to the list of 30 Smart Cities announced by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Development on June 23, 2017. Srinagar figured at No.10 and Jammu at No.21 in the list of 30 Smart Cities, which were selected through competition from out of a total of 45 cities which contested in the third round.
Following announcement, the State Government vide Order No. 1081-GAD dated August 21, 2017 ordered creation of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs)-Jammu Smart City Limited and Srinagar Smart City Limited, which were subsequently registered as Limited Companies under Companies Act.
Thereafter, the charge of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) for Srinagar Smart City Limited and Jammu Smart City Limited was assigned to Chief Executive Officer J&K Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) and Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation respectively.
Follow our WhatsApp channel