| PDP youth leader allots Zero Bridge food court to his aides | | No tenders invited, rules flouted | |
Muhammad Mukaram
Early Times Report
Srinagar, June 2: Promoting favoritism and nepotism were key slogans that Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition government used against National Conference and Congress regime. But within just two months in the government, the leaders of the ruling party are leaving no opportunity to drudge own axes in terms of favoring their close associates.
Government headed by Mufti's clean image of public servant and principles over power, good governance and corruption-free administration has come under serious criticism, after she inaugurated the houseboat cum food court and historic zero bridge in favour of a selected group of self styled entrepreneurs, who enjoy full patronage of her close confidant and PDP youth leader.
Sources in the PDP said the youth leader is misusing his position in the party in order to satisfy his friends and relatives, by adding that, "the recent development of inaugurating the food court on Zero Bridge has raised eyebrows within the business and political circles.",
A PDP leader, on anonymity, said, "The youth leader has compiled a list of about 100 entrepreneurs who had become success in their endeavors across different sectors in business and industry. And later he used the 'Pick and Choose' style to allot the food court to five entrepreneurs without following the official norms."
The food court was allotted to five entrepreneurs after the youth leader played a key role to favour them. Normally, such an allotment is done after inviting tenders, where everyone is eligible and can apply.
"The houseboat cum food court has been handed over to five entrepreneurs after the PDP youth leader's interference without inviting any tenders," the party leader added.
Surprisingly, despite knowing the fact, government and authorities have maintained absolute silence on this pick and choose type allotments. "I would have applied if the government would have been followed the transparent procedure. They have chosen five entrepreneurs and handed over the houseboat cum food court to them," said a businessman, who runs a similar unit in the outskirts.
"If the government would have shown sincerity about the common person, which they were claiming in every gathering about the good governance, they would have then reached to every common man and should have made food court's allotment public," another young businessman, who wished anonymity, said.
Sources within the government also say that the PDP youth leader is leading a support-for-perks policy among the young businessmen, who could be useful to overshadow government's failures. "In the coming months, there will be more such initiatives and a few selected youth would get the undue favours," sources added.
Senior National conference leader and former minister, Nasir Aslam Wani said "It looks strange they have chosen own people, PDP led BJP government has nothing to show to people what they have promised before elections. Converting of bridge into a tourism spot and coming up with a food court there doesn't make any sense."
The bridge is being promoted as a heritage tourism spot for its unique historic and cultural blend, which was inaugurated by the chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti last month.
The reconstructed bridge and food court on the deck is all set to be an attraction for locals and tourists. The Zero Bridge would be a complete walkthrough site connecting Rajbagh and Sonwar.
Reconstructed at a cost of Rs 11 crore by Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation Limited (JKPCC), the bridge was dismantled in 2012. For the past four years, the 154-metre long bridge has been revamped with deodar and wooden decks on both sides.
A traditional houseboat design 'Food Court' has been built near the bridge which is a blend of traditional and modern outlook. It has four sightseeing decks. The Food Court would have four-seater tables in dining room, a kitchen, two wash rooms, besides a lounge. The roof of the court has thermo-treated flooring keeping in view the cold climate in Kashmir.
|
|
