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| Depict failure of ousted NC-Cong regime, claims remain confined to gates only | | Sagar's model villages narrate sordid tale | | Fazal Khan
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Feb 13: The much hyped model villages scheme launched by the former Rural Development Minister and Senior National Conference General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar has proved to be a damp squib.
Sources told Early Times that crores of rupees were sanctioned for turning a few hamlets in all the districts across Jammu and Kashmir into model villages.
They said the concept of developing model villages was not only to provide basic services in rural areas but also to check migration of population and improve quality of life to demonstrate the use of latest technology and ensure integrated development of these areas.
Under the PM's Reconstruction Plan 57 villages, one in each block recommended by the elected representatives were approved for development. The main thrust had to been given on the improvement in overall sanitation of the village including lanes and drains. Use of solar technology for street lights, creation of essential facilities like CFCs, playground and recreation parks, establishment of Rural Informatics Centers, small shopping line for local educated youths.
Each Model village had to be developed at the approved cost of Rs. 120.00 lakhs.
Sagar during his tenure laid the foundation stone of many such villages but the facilities which were promised to these hamlets were not provided and only the boards were erected to claim that these are model villages.
Sources alleged that lakhs of rupees were withdrawn to set up these model villages but the facilities which were promised remained confined to papers only and nothing concrete was done on the ground. "The funds which were withdrawn on the name of setting up model villages were allegedly swindled by the officers who were given the responsibility to complete the assignment. "Everyone including the top bosses took full advantage of the scheme and the money meant for developing these model villages," they said.
"The contracts to develop these model villages," sources said were allegedly "given to the people who were either recommended by the close aides of the Rural Development Minister or the people who were in good books of the top bosses of the department."
Sources said that work was taken up in all the identified villages but in most areas it remained incomplete and the work was left half way. Villagers of the various hamlets, which were identified as model villages, while talking to Early Times said that they were befooled and the previous regime took them for a ride.
Sources said if the probe is ordered to ascertain the status of the model villages it can open a Pandora's box and would lead to many skeletons tumbling out of the cupboards of the erstwhile NC-Cong regime.
Interestingly, the Rural Development Ministry was headed by the incumbent General Secretary of the NC, Ali Mohammad Sagar, who claims to be among a few leaders in Jammu and Kashmir with a "neat and clean" image.
The poor state of the model villages and how the entire project was "mishandled" indicates that "all was not well" in the department as it ostensibly failed to deliver. It remains to be seen would the Governor N N Vohra look into the status of model villages or would he let the next government take a call over the issue. |
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