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| R&B Kashmir in crisis, ex-minister created Rs 600 cr liability | | | Early Times Report
Srinagar, Feb 16: During their maiden interaction with Parvez Dewan, the Advisor to Governor NN Vohra, the official machinery here spilled the beans that a former minister has pushed the Kashmir wing of Roads and Building department into an abyss as they are not in a position to clear liabilities of the contractors across Valley who have been pestering them to release the payments.
Highly placed sources said the Advisor was shocked to learn that such huge liability pegged at around Rs 600 crorehas been created in PWD, something beyond the means of the state. Sources said on the contrary not a single penny unapproved was spent on any development in Jammu which continues to be neglected.
According to informed sources the total liability was created on newly introduced programmes like Macadamisation of roads taken up under 'Cities & Towns', 'Tourist Destinations' and those in Projectisation mode .
Officials said a total of 1400 Kms of road stands macadamised under such programs adding that of late funds have become available but only for the works taken up with the help of NABARD.
Sources said the Advisor was heard wishing early takeover of the reins of the state administration by a popular government as he felt it next to impossible to meet the demand for funds to such a high extent.
The meeting held at the state guesthouse here, was shocked to learn that such huge works, which had no formal approval were done in Kashmir alone on the directions of a then minister who behaved like "dictator."
"Hundreds of kilometers of roads have been macadamized in Kashmir but without approval of funds, and we are in big trouble due to this," the sources quoted the officials as having told the Advisor.
The officials are understood to have told the Advisor that most of such work was allotted to contractors of the then minister's choice. "Moreover the macadamization was undertaken not as per needs but to please a section of politicians who enjoyed good relations with this minister," the officials said.
They said even though road network in Raj Pora area of Pulwama and elsewhere was in shambles, little or no attention was paid towards such areas as the concerned minister did not enjoy good relations with the lawmakers from the concerned areas though they belonged to the same party.
"The biggest example of his discrimination remained Batamaloo, which is a busy area, where even dilapidated patches near the general bus stand were not repaired as it was the constituency of MLA loyal to Karra Sahab," the insiders told Early Times.
They said when this all was discussed before the Advisor, the meeting resolved that "only God could save the administration when officials are forced to work as puppets at the sweet will and wish of the mantris."
A middle rung official of the R&B said last year they were made to dance at the tunes of the minister amid warnings that if his orders were not obeyed they would be either transferred to booked by the vigilance department.
Sources said the meeting chaired by the Advisor to the Governor got an impression that the entire administration particularly the Srinagar Municipal Corporation was still working at the sweet will and wish of the former minister. "He is still calling the shots in the administrative matters particularly those with regard to large scale illegal constructions being under taken in Srinagar," the sources said.
Ironically none of the officials spoke in favour of Jammu where bad roads were left unattended by the government.
Despite repeated attempts the minister accused of creating undue liabilities could not be contacted for comments. |
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