Some parties propagating regionalism & so called discrimination:Sagar

Jammu, March 26 (Scoop News) –    Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ali Mohammad Sagar today said that the funds to the tune of Rs 30 crore under CRF for upgradation and improvement of Srinagar city roads were diverted to Jammu as these could not be utilized in the valley due to summer unrest. He, however, said that an additionality of Rs 30 crore would be provided to Srinagar this year over and above its normal allocation to compensate the loss.

Addressing a press conference, the Minister while strongly refuting the allegations of certain parties regarding the diversion of funds, said that cash adjustment has been done in CRF so that more funds could be lifted from the Centre under the scheme.

He said that CRF is a tide grant and a part of state plan, which has to be utilized only for sanctioned schemes so that the Centre would be approached for more funds under the same scheme.

Sagar said that due to the prevailing situation in Kashmir a part of the funds was adjusted so that the same could be utilized judiciously.

The Minister clarified that additional funds would be provided to Kashmir province to compensate the loss. He said securing funds under the scheme is subject to full utilization of earlier allocations.  

Coming down heavily on the parties propagating regionalism and so called discrimination,  Sagar said that no preference whatsoever is given to any region or division and the government believes in equitable development of the state. He said that it is a recorded fact that the present government has initiated several welfare schemes in different regions across the state equitably.  

 Sagar said that it was during PDP regime that several prestigious projects like KZP road project and other road projects were not provided funds. He said it is a recorded fact that during their tenure Srinagar city was totally ignored and now they are trying to shift the blame on the government on certain non-issues.

            Earlier Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ali Mohammad Sagar on behalf of R&B Minister today said that the funds to the tune of Rs 30 crore under CRF for upgradation and improvement of Srinagar city roads were diverted to Jammu as these could not be utilized in the valley due to summer unrest. He, however, said that an additionality of Rs 30 crore would be provided to Srinagar this year over and above its normal allocation to compensate the loss.

            This was stated by the Minister while replying to the supplementaries by Ms Mehbooba Mufti, Mr A.R. Veeri and Mr Saifullah Mir on the main question of Syed Basharat Ahmad Bukhari in the Legislative Assembly.

The Minister admitted that due to unrest in the valley the execution of various works was affected and funds under CRF for road upgradation were diverted to Jammu. He, however, assured to look into the issue afresh.

Mr Sagar said that government is seized of equitable development of all regions and will never tolerate any lopsided development. He said the government is more concerned with the development of capital city than any other member.

            Replying to the main question regarding construction of flyovers in Srinagar, the Minister said the 4-lane flyover on National Highway bye-pass Srinagar, Hyderpora crossing is in progress, adding that the construction work was scheduled to be completed by December 2008 but due to law and order problem in the valley, the work could not be completed in time.

            The Minister said that construction of flyover from Jehangir Chowk to Natipora is proposed to be taken under Trenche-II of Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan 2. He said the proposed flyover will have an overall length of about 2.4 km with dual carriage way (4 traffic lanes) and is estimated to cost Rs 256.66 crore as per the Summary Appraisal Report (SAR) submitted to ADB, adding this includes cost on account of acquisition of land and structures besides rehabilitation of displaced persons (mostly shopkeepers).

            The Minister said the Government has also proposed construction of the flyover at Santnagar (Rawalpora) and Bemina on National Highway bypass. He said the proposal has been taken up with the National Highway Authority of India.

            ` The Minister said that National Highway from Jammu to Srinagar is being 4-lanned by the National Highway Authority. The project envisages bypassing major towns from Qazigund to Srinagar including Panthachowk. He said completion of four lanning the bottlenecks at Panthachowk would be removed. Similarly, widening of road from Parimpora crossing to Narbal crossing onwards is in progress through BEACON and on completion of four lanning the bottleneck in traffic shall be removed considerably, he added. He said the construction of flyover at HMT crossing has also taken with Border Road Organization.

            The Minister said that there was no proposal to construct six- lane road from Narbal to Uri with BEACON. He, however, said that road from Srinagar to Uri is planned to be developed 4-lane specification from km 6.75 to 14.20. He said the detailed project report for construction of 4-lanning road from Narbal to Baramulla is under process.

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