Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Apr 26: Notwithstanding the tall claims of the previous and sitting Ministers about ensuring planned, timely and holistic development, numerous vital developmental issues are hanging fire only because the Board of Directors of the Jammu Development Authority haven’t met during the past over three years and still no date has been finalized for the same.
Not only on the developmental issues, even no decision could be taken on the steps proposed to be initiated to ensure transparency in the functioning of Jammu Development Authority, which otherwise has attained the notoriety of being corruption and maladministration ridden wing of the Government.
As per the Rules governing the Jammu Development Authority (JDA), its Board of Directors are required to meet after regular intervals to take decision on the important issues that too strictly as per the Rule Book. However, these Rules are being thrown to the winds by those at the helm of affairs in the Housing and Urban Development Department, which has administrative control over the Authority.
In the year 2012, two meetings of Board of Directors of JDA were convened on February 18 and April 26 respectively wherein several developmental works and projects were cleared. Most important among the decisions was ensuring transparency and accountability in the functioning of this Development Authority in order to redress the complaints of corruption and maladministration, sources told EXCELSIOR.
On the basis of repeated complaints of maladministration and corrupt practices, it was decided at that time that list of deadwoods and non-performing officials in the JDA would be prepared for proceeding against them. But no focus has been laid on this vital issue despite the fact that in pursuance to this decision, it was stated that list would be completed within month’s time, sources said.
After a hiatus of more than two years, the Board of Directors meeting of JDA was scheduled to be convened on July 22, 2014 but the same had to be postponed at the last moment because of certain contentious issues. A senior officer of Housing and Urban Development Department was interested in incorporating these contentious issues in the agenda on pressure from political quarters but the same was opposed by the then Vice-Chairperson and this led to postponement of the meeting.
The developmental issues, which are hanging fire include allotment of land to various departments for construction of their buildings, establishment of various institutes, preparation of policy on regularization of unauthorized colonies and better utilization of land transferred to the JDA from time to time for developmental activities.
Similarly, strengthening of human resource in JDA, which is imperative for smooth functioning of JDA’s day-to-day work, creation and filling-up of posts through a transparent recruitment process and digitization of office records and electronic delivery of services are also hanging fire in the absence of approval from Board of Directors, sources said.
Moreover, the minutes of 73rd and 72nd meetings of Board of Directors have yet not been confirmed due to non-holding of 74th meeting. “Even the new Housing Minister has yet not evinced any interest in holding of BoD meeting of JDA till date”, sources regretted.
When contacted, Vice-Chairman, JDA Mubarak Singh said, “we are planning to convene Board of Directors meeting and after reopening of Darbar at Srinagar Minister Incharge Housing and Urban Development Department would be approached for fixing the date”.
In response to a question, he said, “agenda would be finalized soon after fixing of the date”, adding “already huge agenda is pending for decision and some more relevant points would be incorporated in it”.
He confirmed that Board of Directors decision is imperative on major developmental as well as reform issues and Vice-Chairman cannot take unilateral decision.
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