Misuse of funds at Shadhra Sharief shrine: efforts being made to shelter culprits

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Oct 3: To shelter some blue eyed people in the department the officials are making excuse to speak out the reality about the misuse of the developmental funds meant for the up keep of the Shadhra Sharief shrine.

Sources alleged that in enquiry of misuse of funds for developmental work in Rajouri the higher officials are hiding the name of the culprits who are involved in the scam. Though a inquiry committee has been constituted, with directions to submit the report within a month, but sources said that every effort is being made to scuttle the probe.

Recently Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora chaired an officials meeting in which the minister ordered to constitute a committee headed by Director Tourism, Jammu R S Mehta.

In the meeting the minister stated that under centrally sponsored schemes, the funds to the tune of Rs 8.57 crore were made available to Rajouri Development Authority (RDA), since its inception, out of which an expenditure of Rs 8.44 crore has been expended for creation of tourist infrastructure in the area, adding that this amount is over and above of state allocation allotted to area for the purpose.

“But the members of the committee is refusing to give any statement about the issue, as they suppose to protect the guilty persons” said a insider.

To attract the tourists towards the Rajouri the state government took the initiatives to create tourist infrastructure and developed scenic spots besides encourage heritage, pilgrim and adventure tourism activities.

“Nothing will emerge from the meeting as there will be pressure on the officials to delay the probe, because of the involvement of many senior officials”, said a source.

For the promotion of this area 2 central funded projects of Rs 5.28 crore was approved and Rajouri is being developed as pilgrim destination whereas Nangathub area is being developed as eco-tourism destination.

The then state government led by Ghulam Nabi Azad had created the Developmental Authorities across the state to promote tourism. During 2009-10, in Jammu region, Rs 3 crore was earmarked for Patnitop Development Authority, Rs 1.5 crore for Bhaderwah Development Authority, Rs 2.95 crore for Rajouri Development Authority, Rs 1.2 crore for Lakhanpur Development Authority, Rs 1 crore for Poonch Development Authority, Rs 1 crore for Kishtwar Development Authority and Rs 2.35 crore plus Rs 125 crore additionally for Surinsar-Mansar Development Authority.