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| Erstwhile Omar's regime messed up Horticulture Ministry | | Lakhs spent on dysfunctional green houses, probe shelved | | Peerzada Ummer
Early Times Report
srinagar, Feb 24: The claims of the State authorities over establishing the much hyped green houses in Jammu and Kashmir were seen falling flat with one out of the five high-tech green houses made functional after spending crores of rupees from the public exchequer.
The documents in possession of the Early Times reveal that out of the five hi-tech green houses established during the regime of NC- Congress coalition in the State, only one was made functional that too after the period of more than two and the half years.
Details divulge that the remaining of the four high-tech green houses were left non- functional with authorities coming up with lame excuses like paucity of power and water. What is more ironic is that a whooping amount of Rs 24.27 lakh were spent on the construction of bore wells, installation of three phase electric connections and purchase of generators for these dysfunctional four high-tech green houses.
Constructed at the whooping cost of Rs 60.51 lakh, these four green houses, which were established amid much fanfare were rendered unfruitful.
Though an inquiry was ordered to look into the inaction and irregularities over rendering the high-tech green houses dysfunctional , the issue has virtually been left under the carpet. It was informed further the terms and conditions of the Notice Inviting Tenders (NIT) flouted for the establishment of these green houses stipulate that penalty at the rate of 0.5 percent per day of the total cost of the contract shall be recovered from the suppliers for not making supplies up to 45 days and thereafter supply order was to be cancelled. The details reveal that this penalty clause was not incorporated in the terms and conditions of the supply order and further no agreement was executed by the Horticulture department with the supplier before issuing the supply order.
Documents reveal that the contractor had however supplied and installed hi-tech green houses at the cost of Rs 64.22 lakh at seven sites after the delay ranging between two and a half months to 27 months. Surprisingly, the penalty of Rs 14.45 lakh as envisaged in the NIT had neither been imposed nor recovered from the contractor, resulting in the grant of undue benefit to the contractor. As the inquiry that too was initiated over the issue, there was no progress made over the same.
Jammu and Kashmir wherein the climate change is causing drastic impact upon the over all crop and vegetable production, one of the most obvious advantages to growing plants in a greenhouse is being able to garden year-round and in all kinds of weather. A greenhouse provides plants with protection from wind, rain and other harsh weather elements, not to mention predatory pests and animals. With careful plant selection and proper ventilation, there is less risk of soil-borne disease. The structure also provides a safe place for seeds to germinate and seedlings to develop that might otherwise be targeted by birds, heavy rains or unexpected frosts. |
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