Kuldeep Verma suicide

Sharma Commission submits its report

Tahir Mushtaq 

JAMMU, Apr 30: The Justice O.P Sharma Commission of Inquiry, which inquired about the circumstances leading to death of Kuldeep Verma during Amarnath Land row had submitted its report to government. However the report has not been made public in view of High Court orders.

Commission was established by government to inquire about the circumstances under which Kuldeep Verma had committed suicide in 2008 during the Amarnath land agitation. His death has sparked large scale violence which plunged entire region in turmoil for more than two months.

Later, government had constituted a commission headed by the Justice O.P Sharma to look into the death and alleged disrespect shown to the body during cremation by police.

The case was also challenged by police officials allegedly involved in the incident who had alleged that Sangrash Samiti was trying to influence the proceeding in Jammu High Court.

Then SSP Alok Kumar, SP Shailendra Singh and DySPs ML Kaith and Swatanter Arora had figured in various affidavits submitted to the commission.

Sources said that nearly Rs 10 lakh was spent every year on the commission, but the due to the lethargic attitude of the Samiti and even Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), the case file is gathering dust in Kashmir valley.

“BJP got 11 seats in Legislative Assembly due to the Amarnath agitation and they have forgotten everything. They never gave a second look to the youth who died in the agitation”, said another former Samiti leader and trader. What has BJP and Samiti leaders don’t to implement the agreement signed between the Government and the Samiti members.

In November 2008, the Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti had strongly reacted to what it termed a “dubious conspiracy to win over the witnesses and hoodwink the proceedings” after the allegations by the police officials.

It is pertinent to mention here that the police officials had moved an application to the Law Secretary of the state alleging illegalities by the commission and also charged it with showing undue favour to the samiti members

Govt. may close down schools where enrollment of students is falling

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Apr 27: Government is likely to close down the schools, where the number of children are very few and the enrollment is falling in recent years.

Sources said that government is studying the prospect of implementing the project, as number of schools in rural and far-flung areas of the state are running with very less students, while staff strengthen is more.

Sources claimed that corruption has taken its place at the highest level in the Education Department in district Doda’s far-flung areas and with the result teachers, who were appointed as ReT and later confirmed, are being given choice attachments thus playing the future of village students who however lack required quality education.

DDC Doda had recently directed the CEO Doda to close down the Government High School Gosti which has shown sudden decline in the enrollments from over 150 to just 26 as the teachers of the said schools who were appointed as ReT, were given choice attachment after they paid some money as bribe in the office of ZEO office Thathri.

Though the Chief Minister has expressed his determination several times that he wants quality education to reach every household and has declared his war against the corruption in every department but when it comes to Education Department, particularly in Doda district, it seems, CM is helpless or ignorant with the result, future of coming generations is at stake and education system is fast moving towards the destruction in the district as in every office, some corrupt clerks are ruling the roast.

The failure of the Education Ministry to check corruption and norms violation in the Education Department in district Doda, district administration is forced to direct for the closing of more Government Educational Institutes in the far flung area of the district and in coming days as indicated by the DDC Farooq Ahmed Khan.

Relevant to mention here that there are many such school in which the corruption in on the heights. Take an example to one of the old school which was upgraded in year 2006 from Primary School to Government Girls Middle School Bajja.

According to the sources, the school has the total enrollment of 3 students where 5 teachers are appointed in which 4 included of 1 brother namely Intkhab Alam and 3 sisters are from one family, while one of the teacher in doing his regular Post Graduation.

Sources disclose that the 4 family members appointed are also not regular to their duties.

The only teacher deputed in the school Anil Kumar who is regular and was supposing to be confirmed from ReT to permanent but due to some misleading approach of the concern officials it could not be done.

After investing huge money to take this school to the level of High School by providing infrastructure and other requirements, the education department officials are responsible for the closure of the school.

Adding to this, source informed that one more school namely Government Primary School Lower Bajji in running in the single room and that too with an Anganwari Centre, likewise the total strength of the student is 13 and the same student of Anganwari centre are also enrolled in the Primary School, what is more worst to this.

 “The condition of midday meal which is supposed to provide for the students of Angnwari is also used by a worker of the centre” added source.

Talking to TNI Deputy Commissioner, Doda Farooq Ahmed Khan said that he will take strict action against the said educational institutes.

Khan further said that he will direct the concern authorities to close all such school at the earliest.

Govt. stops new survey under NRHM in J&K

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Apr 24: With many of the projects taken up under centrally sponsored National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) still incomplete, government has stopped conducting fresh survey to take up new projects under the scheme.

Decision has been taken in view of non-completion of targeted objectives, which are reviewed annually by Union Health Ministry.

Since launch of NRHM programme in the state, an amount of Rs 592.61 crore has been released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and Rs 87.12 crore by the state government, as state share upto ending January 2012.

“But its utilization has remained very poor in some sectors for which centre has also expressed its concern last year, asking state to improve its delivery system”, source said.

During 2005-06 Central Government has released Rs 27 crore, in 2006-07, Rs 39.47 crore, 2007-08, Rs 135.12 crore, 2008-09, Rs 49.42 crore, 2009-10, Rs 80.10 crore, 2010-11, Rs 121.79 crore and 2011-12, Rs 139.58 crore (Total Rs. 592.61 crore).

It is pertinent to mention here that main objective of the scheme was reduction in child and maternal mortality, universal access to public services for food and nutrition and universal access to public health care services with emphasis on services addressing women and children’s health and universal immunization.

At the moment funds for infrastructure development are being provided under NRHM to supplement the ongoing health projects for speedy execution. The department is supplementing funds under NRHM for 276 ongoing health works which include 20, district hospital, 46 community health centres, 49, primary health centres and 161 sub centres.

Sources said that Respective Deputy Commissioners and Chief Medical Officers (CMO)s across the state are already conducting monthly review of the projects to ensure strict adherence to the guidelines.

However when contacted Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma said that despite many problems government has been able to achieve its targets.

“New survey is not being conducted because we want to focus on taken up projects. Our achievements in NRHM are very positive”, Sharma said.

Agri Insurance has turned as flop show in J&K

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Apr 22: The much hyped agri insurance schemes has turned out to be a cropper for farmers in Jammu region as manpower shortage hinders its implementation since past four years.

Sources said that there is only one employee of Agriculture Insurance Company of India (AIC) handling the implementation of the scheme in ten districts of the region.

The National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS) was launched about four years back in the state with aim to cover the cultivators and their crops, who suffer losses due to frequent draught and other natural calamities.

Official sources said that lack of coordination between the Agriculture department and AIC has also contributed in slow implementation of the scheme, which has only remained confined to the files.

Five major crops have been brought under the scheme include Paddy, Wheat, Maize, Potato and Mustard. As per the official data total number of farmers covered under the scheme during the Kharif season in 2010-11 was 1,294.

Similarly in the Rabi season, only 1,152 have been covered in 2010-11. Sources said that if the data is compared to past few years, it is showing constant decline.

While field officer of the AIC blame unwillingness of the farmers to get covered under the scheme, agriculture department blames the AIC for the poor response.
When contacted, Director Agriculture Ajay Khajuria admitted that manpower and infrastructure shortage is the main reason for slow process of the requests made by the farmers.

A farmer leader Tejinder Singh alleged that like other schemes only few chosen farmers have received the benefits of NAIS. “Just tall promises and slogans, on ground cultivators have been left at the mercy of vagaries of weather. No one gets a penny and has to run from pillar to post to get compensation money”, Singh alleged.

It is important to mention here that starting 2008, Jammu and Kashmir has faced some of the worst draughts and unexpected rainfalls in recent decades destroying crops over thousands of hectors of land.

Even the Special Girdawari (survey) conducted by the state government in 18-districts of the state last year has revealed that farmers have suffered losses to the tune of Rs 211.28 crore.

Now study material on website, thanks to internet

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Apr 20: Higher Education Department has come up with a noval idea to lower down the pressure on the libraries in the educational institutions, it is planning to upload the study material of various subjects on the Website www.jkhighereducation.in, so that students can access and download it.

Officials from the department said that keeping in view the lack of infrastructure in the newly opened Degree colleges in the state which were made functional without provision of proper infrastructure, the department has decided to use the website as public library.

It is pertinent to mention here that scarce infrastructure, no permanent staff and contractual teachers without remuneration for the entire academic year sum up the plight of the newly opened government degree colleges across the Jammu and Kashmir.

It is pertinent to mention here that since 2002, J&K government went on ‘Degree college construction spree”, with successive government with the help of Central government establishing nearly 40 degree colleges, particularly in rural and far-flung areas of the state.

“What can government do, the colleges were constructed and opened in hurry without provision being made to provide basic infrastructure. Though putting study material on the website will not benefit students in rural areas as there is no net connection, it could given them just an option”, said a official from the education department.

Government colleges are grappling for basic infrastructure. Most of these don’t have even a building at their disposal what to speak of other amenities.

Minister for Higher Education, Abdul Gani Malik that they are also concerned with the lack of infrastructure in certain colleges but steps are being taken in this regard.

“The website will be updated regularly so that students can access the study material. It will be great help to them”, Malik said.

About the infrastructure problems being faced by the colleges, he said that necessary funds have been earmarked for the same and central government has also assured the additional funds will be provided to the state.

However while the colleges were opened, but most of them have little infrastructure, which has defeated the basic idea of these for which they were established.

Education reforms!

Corruption, attachments force DC Doda to order closing of Govt High School Gosti

Tahir Mushtaq

There is an old deep rooted nexus of corrupt clerks, which is active in ZEO and CEO offices and proving hindrance in the way to state government in its resolve to improve educations system in the Government schools.

The Chief Minister (CM), Omar Abdullah, himself is holding the charge of Education Department, some sort of drastic changes are expected and required to root out the nexus of corrupt clerks in education system otherwise, like Govt High School Gosti, other schools will have to be closed sooner or later.

JAMMU, Apr 19: Unchecked corruption in education system and frequent attachments of teachers flouting all the set norms, by the officials of Zonal Education Office (ZEO) Thathri under the protection of Chief Education Office (CEO) Doda have forced the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Doda Farooq Ahmed Khan to order closure of a Government High School Gosti in view of extreme decline in students enrolment from over 150 last year to just 26 at present.

Talking to this correspondent, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Doda said that as the students’ enrolment has very less, the closure of the school was ordered and directed adjustment of the teachers of the schools in other schools where staff is needed. He however, mentioned that when the adequate enrolments will be available in the school, it will be re-opened.

Admitting that the present enrolment in the said high school is just 26, Chief Education Officer (CEO) Doda, Y.R Thusoo said that the enrolment will increase. Interestingly, when asked about the teachers strength of the said school, CEO Doda who supervises the schools of entire District Doda gave wrong information, deliberately or misinformed, he himself knows better.

According to CEO, Doda, there were only three teachers in the said school who were earlier appointed under ReT pattern and later confirmed as general line teachers besides a Headmaster posted recently.

But the fact indicates something else, in the said school, so far five teachers were appointed under ReT pattern including one female as ReT third teacher and all five were later confirmed as general line teachers.

Owing to unchecked corruption, the teachers appointed as ReT third teacher was supposed to teach English in the school, but flouting all the set norms, she was attached to other school after paying some money as bribe at the Zonal Education Officer Thathri for which she was favored by CEO office Doda.

Not only she, there was another teacher namely, Dileep Singh who was appointed first as ReT teacher in the said school and later got confirmed after five years was also enjoying choice attachment on paying regular bribe money at the ZEO office.

Relevant to mention here that any one appointed as ReT teacher cannot be attached or transferred even after confirmation till, he or she gets promotion, but the education system in Doda district works otherwise and only corruption rules.
Due to frequent attachments, and shortage of staff in the school, the parents started getting discharge certificates of their wards and started admitting them in other schools, with the result, the enrolment fell down to just 26 and finally DC had no other option but to order closure of the said school.

After investing huge money to take this school to the level of High School by providing infrastructure and other requirements, the Education Deptt officials are responsible for the closure of the school, as if they would have not attached the teachers, the school would have not shown decline in quality education and enrolments.

This reporter has some proofs against the Zonal Education Office (ZEO) Thathri which clearly says how the norms are being thrown to winds thus making a mockery of education system.

According to the documents available, one Nazia Baby who was appointed as ReT third for Government Middle School Gosti was attached by the ZEO Thathri, which is against the norms and rules. When the hue and cry was made by the parents, the ZEO office issued a latter which itself confirms that the said teacher was attached.

According to the latter, the said teacher submitted her joining report in compliance to ZEO Thathri vide his order number ZEO/T/Esh/1869-71 dated 8-03-06 and Headmaster High School Chiralla, reliving order No- HSC-111-112 DATED 02-06-2006. She submitted her joining on 5-6-2006 to Head Master Govt Middle School Goesti, while Head Master High School Chiralla relived her on 02-06-06 A.N from her duties vide ZEO’S no ZEO/T/ESH/1869/71 DATED 08-03-06.

Worth mentioning here that CEO Doda, in a latter number 4236 of 19-05-06 addressed to Headmaster Govt High School Chiralla ordered the detachment of 3RD teacher from Govt High School Chiralla To Middle School Gosti With In 2 Days……as third teacher was meant for their own school. But till date she has not joined the said school and has managed her adjustment/attachment in another school, while she was bound to perform her duties in Govt High School Gosti.

The attachments are frequent in the villages of Doda district under a name need basis. another document say that one ReT teacher of Govt Middle School Bajja, namely Ahjaz Hussain was relieved of his duty on 18-05-06 from GMS Bajja and was directed to report GMS Gosti under order no-GMS/B/05/15-16, dated 18/05/06.

According to ZEO Thathri No- ZEO/T/ESTT/149-50 DATED 15-5-2006, ReT Teacher Ajaz Ahmed was directed to report Headmaster Govt Middle School Gosti for further duties internally.

These orders clearly indicated that the attachments which are banned and against the norms are being done in the Doda district. There is an old deep rooted nexus of corrupt clerks, which is active in ZEO and CEO offices and proving hindrance in the way to state government in its resolve to improve educations system in the Government schools.

Now, as the Chief Minister (CM), Omar Abdullah, himself is holding the charge of Education Department, some sort of drastic changes are expected to root out the nexus of corrupt people in education system otherwise, like Govt High School Gosti, other schools will have to be closed sooner or later.

Talking to TNI, Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) leader Shamsher Singh Manhas said that there are many such places where there is acute need to open educational institute owing the favoritism the concern the authorities open unnecessarily school.

He further said that the government should keep check on such establishments so that the every child gets equal education.

J&K imports 15 lakh sheeps and goats for mutton every year

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Apr 18: Nearly 15 lakh sheep and goats are imported into Jammu and Kashmir every year for mutton at a cost of Rs 1,500 crore.

Officials said that due to the less production of the meat, poultry and eggs in J&K, state has to trade in these products from the outside to fulfill the need of the people. They further said if this huge amount gets revert back in the state then it would change the completion of the state economy.

“There is a vital need for improving the production and productivity of mutton and poultry to get rid of the gap between the supply and demand in the state”, said a source.

Officials said that few years back, to promote organized farming and institutions of poultry and sheep cooperatives, suitable measures and development interventions for promoting livestock sector was taken up across the state.

Sources said that expert groups have recommended that extension facilities to far off and backward places, genetic improvement, introduction of hi-tech commercial broiler for enhancing white meat production and dropper breed of sheep to increase the mutton production besides proper health cover can help a lot in the pursuit of this goal.

The government should do efforts to promote commercial poultry in the state to generate employment opportunities, and to augment the role of the cooperation section in economic development of the state.

When contacted Minister for Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi said that the government is doing efforts to reduce the import of the products from outside state.

Mehdi further said before three years when the trade from outside was around Rs 1500 crore on all products and now it is reduced upto 1200 to 1300 crore annually.

He disclosed that the government has launched six state and centre sponsored schemes for the poultry and mutton production in the state. “More schemes are in the pipeline to decrease the trade from outside” Mehdi added.

State to soon have Critical Care Ambulances in each district

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Apr 11: After many hurdles finally the Critical Care Ambulance will be visible soon in every district hospital of the state as the health department already issues the tenders for the same.

While talking to TNI Director Health Services, Jammu Dr Madhu Khullar disclosed that previously the court has given the stay order on the purchase of Critical Care Ambulances now as the stay is over we will proceed further and within a period of two month the ambulances will be available is every district hospitals of the state.

She further said that the department has planned to purchase 25 such ambulances for every district hospitals adding that some as per the requirement some emergency hospital are also listed to provide these ambulances.

It is pertinent to mention here that about a year ago the health department had issued tenders to purchase 25 Critical Care Ambulances, but the contractors alleged the department has given the benefits to their good ones. The institutional contractors blaming that the department’s has given the tenders illegally to those who didn’t complete the formalities or were not eligible for filling the tenders.

They also blamed that even there are two tenders filed by the same agency. The intention of the department is to swindle the funds through shabby tender process. The opinion of the experts, who were included in the Purchase Committee, was not given due consideration while framing the NIT conditions, they alleged. Even the representatives from the private firms were unhappy with the conditions during their pre-tender meeting. 

The alliance had registered complaint to the CM’s Grievance Cell on October 21 last year alleging therein that the department had flouted the norms in framing the tender conditions, but didn’t get any positive response. 

The cell forwarded many reminders to the health department about the queries of alliance group, but didn’t get any reply from the department’s officials. The controversy over the purchase of 25 Critical Care Ambulances has not only deferred the purchase unnecessarily but also put the people at disadvantage.

Moreover this project was initiated keeping in mind that the hospitals lacks this ambulance facility owing to which many of the critically injured persons have lost their lives during the past several years. Critical Care Ambulance is equipped with ventilator and monitor which secures safe transfer of critically injured patients to other hospitals for specialized treatment.

R-APDRP- central government unhappy with state, says review implementation

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Apr 09: Central government has expressed its unhappiness over the slow pace of implementing Restructured-Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP) in 30 identified town of the state to take measures to lower the Transmission and Distribution (T&D) losses.

Sources said that Union Power Ministry had sanctioned nearly Rs 1700 crore to the government under R-APDRP in October last year and the first amount of Rs 119 crore was released to cover identified townships to strengthen the grid stations, transmission lines and feeders.

If sources are to be believed most of the funds have not been utilized to cap the losses, but diverted towards other areas forcing the centre to ask the state to follow the guidelines set for the implementation of the project.

The project was cleared by the Steering Committee of the Union Ministry of Power, which was to be implemented in two parts (A&B) to cover towns having population than 10,000 as per the census of 2001.

“The second phase of reforms may face the fate of APDRP, despite the fact that power losses have become a major drain on the resources of the state and a issue of constant friction between Planning Commission of India  (PCI) and state”, said a source.

It is pertinent to mention here that under the APDRP scheme, the Union Government had already given Rs 3900 crore to the State Government from 2002 onwards for carrying out reforms in the power sector but most of it was utilized for purchase of power to meet the growing demands of electricity in the state, leaving little for carrying out reforms.

R-APDRP is phase second of the project, aimed to cap the losses suffered by Jammu and Kashmir in T&D, an area routinely even pointed out by the Planning Commission of India (PCI).

“The problem is that state is not been able to strictly implement the reforms and has made just cosmetic measures to deal with the problem. Even the e-metering project has been left midway, taken up about eight years back”, said a official. 

CAG finds hole in PHE department

PHE failed to construct OHT tanks in Channi Himmat, Trikuta nagar and Greater Kailash

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Apr 08: While Government claims of improving water supply system in Jammu city, but report by CAG has found number of holes in the working of the PHE department.

As per the report, for improvement and augmentation of the existing water supply to different part of the Jammu city, the Public Health Engineer (PHE) department proposed three different schemes at the estimated cost of Rs 3.80 crore.

The work has been assigned to the Executive Engineer PHE, City Division-II, where as the city area included Channi Himmat, Trikuta Nagar and Greater Kailash has to cover under this project. The works for which the proposal has been made were construction of Tube-well, water sumps, laying of allied distribution network besides construction of four Over-Head Tanks (OHTs).

The Audit analysis of records of the division revealed that work of construction of three OHTs out of four was allotted in 2004 by the Chief Engineer PHE department to two contractors at an estimated cost of Rs 68.92 lakh for completion within one year.

However, after taking up the work and completing the OHTs upto shaft at Channi Himmat and Trikuta Nagar and dome levels at Greater Kailash. The contractors abandoned the work from July 2007 to June 2008 due to non-supply of key construction material by the department and non-availability of funds for these schemes.

CAG reports says that an expenditure of Rs 68.93 lakh including payment of Rs 48.43 lakh made to the contractors had been booked by the division against these works as of March 2011. The efforts during 2007-11 of the department to have funds sanctioned for completion of the pending works had failed.

Further, efforts to persuade the contractors to re-start the work during 2006-07 had also failed as the contractors asked for compensation for escalation in cost and other losses suffered by them due to delay in supply material.

Moreover, the department with a view to testing the strength of existing reinforced cement concrete structure of the unfinished OHTs approached the Research Officer, Material Testing Laboratory and Government College of Engineering and Technology Jammu for RCC testing. Both these agencies expressed inability to conduct the tests due to lack of facilities which them.

No further action was taken in the matter toll a high level committee was constitutes by the department in January 2010 to address the issue of incomplete OHTs which suggested revision of design of all the structures in accordance win Indian Standard Code.

The committee further recommended that the structures be got inspected through some expert committee so as to strengthen the existing half constructed OHTs. The department thereafter had sought the help of Economic Reconstruction Agency for suggesting remedial measures and further progress in the matter was awaited.

CAG further says that due to improper planning by the department by way of inadequate funding, non-availability of key construction material and not designing OHTs as per the Indian Standard Code, the construction of OHTs could not be completed despite delay of more than six years which rendered the investment of Rs 68.92 lakh wasteful, besides depriving the intended consumers of the benefits of the water supply schemes.

Rs 1.42 crore become unproductive as PDA planned road through forest area

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Apr 07: Class it a mis-manageemnt or deliberate aim, Rs 1.42 crore meant for construction of road become unproductive, as Patnitop Development Authority (PDA) officials planned road through forest area.

As per the CAG report, to promote tourism and develop Patnitop and its adjoining areas, PDA decided to construct nine kilometer Karlah to Gaurikund road. The project estimated to cost Rs 3.20 crore was submitted in December 2000 to the government for approval.

Report says that after inspection in April 2011 of the records of authority showed that in anticipation of administration approval and technical sanction, the authority advanced Rs 38.70 lakh to Land Acquisition Officer, Udhampur for acquisition of private land abnd Rs 5.69 lakh to District Forest Officer (DFO) Batote for transfer of forest land coming under the first two kilometers of road alignment.

Report further says that the authority for the work on the first two kilometers of the road executed through Executive Engineer, R&B Division, Udhampur during 2002-05 at a cost of Rs 81.55 lakh.

Moreover the authority spent Rs 15.80 lakh on construction of retaining walls and lanes during 2007-10 on the already constructed stretch of the road. Whereas no further execution was carried out thereafter.

Reports adds that on this being pointed out the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Authority stated that the project got bogged down due to passing of the proposed alignment through forest land and a wild life sanctuary and to avoid loss to the green wealth and the sanctuary, decision to think of an alternative route was taken. The reply was not acceptable as these aspects should have been taken into cognizance by him before embarking upon the project. Thinking of these aspects after spending Rs 1.42 crore on the project was indicative of the casual approach of the authority in planning the project.

It seen in the audit that the authority formulated a revised project in January 2007 at a cost of Rs 2.08 lakh through a consultant who put the revised cost of the project at Rs 18.24 crore. The revised estimated envisage construction of a 680 meters tunnel which would reduce the length of the road to 6.658 kilometer only.

Through the project report has been sent in February 2007 to the government for getting it funded by the Government of India, yet it was decided in March 2011 by the board of the authority, in view of the escalation in the project cost, to get the balance work executed through the state Public Work Department (PWD).

Incurring of an expenditure of Rs 15.80 lakh on the first two kilometer of the road in view of appointment of a consultant for revising in March 2005 the project for an alternative road to save the green wealth was also questionable.

The action of the CEO in embarking upon a project without taking the environment concerns into account, which dawned on him after spending Rs 1.42 crore, resulted in the whole expenditure becoming unproductive.

CAG picks holes in working of SRTC, PWD over funds mis-utilisation

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Apr 05: Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC) has not accounted Rs 11.60 crore payable as outstanding balance of Contributory Provident Fund, State Life Insurance and Life Insurance Corporation for the last fifteen years.

According to the CAG report the department has give any details of the outstanding electricity charges to Power Development Department (PDD) resulting in understatement of current liabilities as well as loss to the extent of RS 61.91 lakh.

Moreover, Motor Accidental claims awarded by MACT are concern the JKSTRC department has not shows the compensation of Rs 40.84 lakh.

Whereas the capital included Rs 0.80 crore contributed by the state government towards the share capital for which no shares has been allotted. The amount should have been reflected as capital pending allotment.

Against outstanding advances of Rs 32.23 crore, the advances worked out Rs 31.09 crore after taking into account outstanding advaces as on March 2006, additions recovery and provision, thus indicating variation of Rs 1.14 crore.

During the year 2010-11, one Statutory Corporation ie. Jammu and Kashmir State Financial Corporation forwarded one account (2006-07) and another Statutory Corporation i.e Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation had furnished the revised accounts for one year (2005-06) during the period of October 2010 to September 2011. Jammu and Kashmir State Forest Corporation had never submitted its accounts to CAG since 1996-97 when its audit was entrusted to CAG.

Exposing the working of Public Works Department (PWD), CAG says that shortfall in achievement of targets was witnessed in all the programems. Unrealistic estimation led to cost over-run the original estimates in 1803 road works. Cost overrun of Rs 27.52 crore was witnessed in 98 roads and 45 buildings works.

In what could be an embarrassment for the planners, report has castigated over the time over run of one to nine years in 167 roads and 200 buildings works taken up by the PWD.

Works taken up on disputed sites resulted in blocking of Rs 148.43 crore on 113 road and 56 building works. 59 works had been split at different levels to avoid sanction of the higher authority.

“Due to the non-procurement of construction material, eight executing division spent Rs 62.47 crore on procurement of material from the open market and incurred an expenditure of Rs 1.04 crore.

Increasing school inflow

Govt. fails to utilize central funds to attract children

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Apr 04: The state as well as centre government has introduced number of schemes to educate every child of the state at least to give him basic education, but somehow authorities have failed to fulfill their promises.

As per the officials records the Government of India government has launched a scheme Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RET) Act 2009 in 2010 besides Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Mid-day Meal (MDM) but when the other facilities in not available these projects are not fulfilled the propose.

Records say in Jammu province there are 4055 schools with total enrollment of 210447 students and the 14936 teachers are appointed there. Out of which 4055 schools are running without building.

Moreover the in 2838 schools there is not a single toilet which shows that about 70 percent of the schools in Jammu provinces lacks this essential requirement. In this high-tech era about 3936 education institutions still not have computer service.

Whereas the basic and most important thing drinking water facility, which is required in every institution, be a government as well private, 2108 schools are running without proper drinking water.

73 percent of the schools in Jammu division do not have a play ground which is also a necessity of education institution. As far as book bank and furniture facility is concern in 2382 and 830 schools respectively required these ground level amenities.

Evidently, a significant number of students have been denied the benefit of infrastructure facilities proposed under SSA with shortfall in achievement of target ranging between 43 and 62 percent despite there being availability of funds.

Out of 5232 works estimated 156.83 crore taken up during 2002-11, 3422 works had been completed during the period at a cost of 105.45 crore.

As per the audit report it is observed that poor utilization of funds under the programmes resulting in huge unspent balances at the close financial years at all levels. The department has failed to provide basic amenities and facilities to students.

Sewerage project for Jammu still incomplete

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Apr 02: Spending huge amount of money to streamlined the sewerage system of the city Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) still unable to complete the project from the last long time causes troubles to the masses.

Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) has assigned the said project to National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) in which they have to cover different areas of Jammu included the congested roads, lanes and bye-lanes of old city.

According to the sources, there are pipes of different utilities like PHE, embedded at various departments which are posing difficulties in expediting the execution of works.

For sewerage project under JnNURM the government has sanctioned Rs 129.32 crore in which Rs 40.54 crore has been released till date in two parts. Whereas the agency has expended Rs 28.80 crore on the work.

Moreover, on the other parts of the city like Talab Tillo and Bhagwati Nagar same project was started in the year 1996 which was expected to complete in March 2012 but still some of the work is pending. The funds sanctioned and release by the concern authority for the proposal were Rs 24.77 crore in which Rs 33.78 crore has been spent on the work.

The Housing and Urban Department coordinating with the line department on fast track for removal of unforeseen impediments to complete the work timely.

Also the inspecting and monitoring of the project for better quality work the J&K Urban Engineering and Environment Department (JK-UEED) is the nodal agency for implementing for the project, which is constantly monitor and review the execution of the project on ground.