Peerzada Ummer
Early Times Report
Srinagar, May 9: Despite government's hectic efforts of making Public Private Partnership (PPP) a success in the otherwise cash starved Jammu and Kashmir; there is not even a single investor who has submitted a proposal before the government.
The state government had issued an order during one of the cabinet meets that Public Private Partnership (PPP) would be initiated in 10 vital sectors of the state so that a 'new era of development in ushered in Jammu and Kashmir'.
But, five months later, sources in the government divulged that there is not even a single investor who has come forward with the project and has consented to invest.
The infrastructure upgrade projects through PPP mode was ought to be taken up in roads, tourism, housing, urban development, sports, technical education, health, horticulture, industries and mining sectors.
"To cope up with infrastructure deficit in crucial sectors like housing, public utilities, healthcare, roads, tourism, technical education, sports, commercial establishments, horticulture and animal husbandry, the Government has decided to adopt the PPP mode for time-bound asset creation in 10 key sectors", a senior minister said while addressing a news conference in December last year .
The government then had decided that in the housing sector, new projects would be taken up for execution under PPP mode at Rakh-e-Arth, Jawhar Nagar and Gandhi Nagar.
Under tourism, the projects included upgradation of infrastructure at Ranjit Sagar Dam and Doodhpathri.
In sports, two Sports Cities, one each in Jammu and Srinagar were scheduled to be set up besides construction of world class sports stadiums.
Under health sector, government had planned setting up state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities at government hospitals.
In horticulture sector, high-density plantation was scheduled to be promoted through PPP mode and in technical education skill development institutions e established under the new initiative.
The commercial projects, multi-level parking facilities and solid waste management were also to be covered under PPP. But five months down the line, the files of the PPP are gathering dust in the finance ministry with government itself in a fix what measure to take next to keep the project alive and intact. " Though the government held series of meetings with the business houses but they all in unison have expressed reluctance in investing money into the government projects. They are in actual sceptic about the PPP," said an official, adding that the stalemate continues over such project at present.
The business houses during the meetings with the finance ministry, have, as per sources, held inefficient administrative system and the absence of legislation responsible for their reluctance in investing in the government projects. They have also stated that the nepotism and partiality which is ruling the roost in the administration must be kept at bay ahead of asking investors to invest money.
Meanwhile, as per reports, the government is likely to take another call over the implementation of the project and would set another deadline for the business houses to come forward with investments. |
