Parliamentary Panel expresses concern over delayed release of funds to J&K, Ladakh

JAMMU: Expressing serious concern over delayed release of financial assistance under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) scheme to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Union Territory of Ladakh, Department Related Parliam-entary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture has asked the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to lay special focus on the maintenance of roads in both the UTs keeping in mind economic and strategic viewpoint.

The Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) is earmarked for various infrastructure sectors such as roads and bridges etc and for the financial year 2020-21 an allocation of Rs 94.51 crore was earmarked for Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Rs 246.22 crore for Union Territory of Ladakh.

However, only an amount of Rs 16.40 crore was released in favour of Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory up to January 31, 2021 while Rs 66.43 crore were released for Union Territory of Ladakh.

The Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture comprising 31 Members of Parliament, in its recent report tabled in the Rajya Sabha, expressed anguish over the slow pace of utilization of funds under the Scheme of UTs financed from CRIF.

“The Committee is concerned to note that up to January 31, 2021, funds released to Jammu and Kashmir are merely 17.3% of the amount allocated for the year 2020-21. Similarly, the funds released to Ladakh are also just 27% of the amount allocated”, the report said, adding “poor pace of release and utilization of funds particularly in the newly created Union Territories doesn’t auger well for their being under the direct control of Central Government”.

The Parliamentary Panel has sought the reasons for the nominal amount of funds released to these crucial and newly formed Union Territories along with the steps taken by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to encourage higher utilization of funds in future.

As per the report, during its recent visit to Srinagar and Gulmarg, the Parliamentary Panel heard various stakeholders on issues related to road, travel and hospitality sectors and the officers of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, National Highway Authority of India and UT Government of J&K on “role of highways in nation building” with reference to the status of National Highways/State Highways in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Committee is of the considered view that the Union Ministry must place special focus on the maintenance of roads in Jammu and Kashmir since the UT needs good connectivity throughout the year from both economic as well as strategic viewpoint. “A well-connected and well maintained road network would spur economic activities and further the tourism prospects of Jammu and Kashmir”, the Committee has mentioned in the report, the copy of which is available with EXCELSIOR.

The Parliamentary Panel has recommended the Union Ministry to ensure sufficient budgetary provisions for this purpose and in case any shortage is felt in this regard, the same may be communicated to the Ministry of Finance at the Revised Estimates (2021-22) stage.

The Committee has also expressed serious concern over inordinate delay on completion of work on Srinagar to Banihal National Highway and mentioned that the project delayed for six years much to the inconvenience of the people.

It has also pointed out that in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory 13 road projects worth Rs 13888.47 crore and having length of 345.81 kilometres and 6 projects in Ladakh Union Territory worth Rs 81.9 crore and having length of 48.92 kilometres are facing inordinate delay for completion.

The Committee has recommended that all out efforts should be made by the Union Government to ensure that all these projects are completed without any further delay to achieve the objectives behind their sanction.(Daily Excelsior )