People
feel cheated as amount meant for developmental works in Kashmir had been allegedly
transferred to Jammu. People in Jammu feel continuous victimization of discrimination
on economic as well as political fronts, which came to fore in findings
submitted by members of Financial Commission for Jammu and Ladakh region. According
to official sources not more than 20% of total budgetary allocations have been
spend for past three quarters of current financial year. But at the same time
official reports of Roads and Buildings said that more than 75% allowances
have been spent. Allegations and counter allegation by the people on regional
grounds need heed as neither amount has been spent in Kashmir nor in Jammu apparently.
Where the money is then?
Substantiating
his point, General Secretary, J& K Central Coordination Contractors’
Association, Farooq Ahmad Dar alleged that Rs 1000 Crore earmarked for
developmental works in Kashmir had been diverted to Jammu. “Government had set deadline for completing
projects, but no developmental works were carried and are on in Kashmir,” Dar
said adding that turmoil in past several months had taken heavy toll of human
lives and property in the Valley. Citing an example he informed that Rs 1.25
Crore drainage project was approved for Rajbagh, but government later cancelled
the contract for unknown reasons. Slight rain and snow fall inundate Rajbagh and
adjoining areas but government shelved plans to ease hardships being suffered
by people, said Dar. He alleged that non state subjects are being appointed as
officers in various departments, who ignore Kashmir and work for development of
the Jammu region, a daily news paper reported quoting him.
On
the other hand, Planning Department’s allotments and expenditure for two
regions of Jammu and Kashmir State Sector plans for 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th
Five Year Plans showed that barring Elementary Education, Jammu region in
Agriculture, Allied Departments, Health and Medical Education, Irrigation,
Flood Control and PHE, Rural Development and Allied Departments, Roads and
Buildings were allocated less since 1992 till date as compared to Kashmir.
Examining allocations made by planning department, members of Finance
Commission, Swami Raj Sharma and Sonam Dawa representing Jammu and Ladakh
regions found that in 8th Five Year Plan (1992-97) Agriculture and Allied
Sectors Rs 2340.00 lakh less was allocated as compared to Kashmir region. In
9th Five Year Plan (1997-2002), Rs 5393 lakh less, in 10th Five Year Plan
(2002-2007), Rs 2185 lakhs less. Kashmir region was given Rs 46043 lakh as
compared to Rs 42338 lakh to Jammu during the 11th Five Year Plan (2007-2012),
Rs 3705 lakh less as compared to Valley.
Roads
and Buildings Rs 7669 lakh less as compared to Valley in 8th Five Year Plan, in
9th Five Year Plan, Jammu region was given Rs 17031 lakh less as compared to
Kashmir region and in 10th Five Year Plan, Jammu region was allocated Rs 15208
lakh less than Kashmir. In Rural Development and Allied Departments sector,
less allocation of Rs 20145 lakh was made to Jammu region in comparison to
Kashmir valley in 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th Five Year Plans while as in
Irrigation, Flood Control and PHE Sectors, less allocation of Rs 47687 lakh was
made to Jammu. In the Health and Medical Education Sector, Rs 49394 lakh less
allocation was made to Jammu during this period as compared to Kashmir.
Calculating amount of difference is more than Rs 1750 Cr, approx. which Jammu people
feel discriminated for the past years.
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