WE THE PEOPLE
JDA’s mismanagement in land acquisition and non-allotment of dwelling units has resulted in unfruitful expenditure of Rs. 13.67 cr
Hence people urge Govt., to get Master Plans implemented fully to achieve development of non-developed areas in winter capital of J&K
By: Khalid Qadri
Srinagar: In order to develop undeveloped areas of Jammu region, the J&K Government constituted Jammu Development Authority in 1971 in pursuance of J&K Development Act 1970. The objectives of the Authority were to promote and secure the development of the local areas of Jammu city according to the approved Master Plans for which it was delegated powers to acquire, hold, manage and dispose of land and other property and carry out building and engineering operations and execute allied works. The first Master Plan was formulated in 1974 and approved in the year 1979 with a 20-year perspective. Another Master Plan was framed in 1999 for a period of 22 years. The Plan envisaged development of 71980 kanals land for accommodating the projected population of 19.29 lakh by the year 2021 under ten Divisions in three phases.
In terms of J&K Development Act, the Authority was required to prepare annual accounts and submit the same to the Auditor appointed by the government for certification. The certified accounts along with the audit reports are required to be presented before the State legislature. But it is learnt that the Authority had not prepared its annual accounts for the period 1985 to 2002. Moreover, the accounts had been got prepared by private auditors, which did not reflect a true and fair view of the financial position of the Authority due to non-accountal balances of assets and liabilities of the previous years.
It is learnt that the main sources of funds for undertaking development activities include revenue generated through internal resources such as premia and rent of plots and other built-up assets, funds provided by the State and Central Governments for State Plan and centrally sponsored schemes and loans raised by the Authority. Despite good resources, the Authority failed to utilize funds during the period from 2002-07 and the percentage of expenditure ranged between 17 and 32 which indicates extremely poor financial management. This also proved, as established by ground position, that the authority had not carried out a large part of targeted developmental programme.
“ We know that the State Government approved development of a new satellite township at Sidhra to provide space for growing population and relieve pressure on the old Jammu City. The township was proposed to be developed on a total land area of 19154 kanals and 16 marlas of land which included private, state and forest land. The Authority initiated acquisition of 5036 hectares of land in three villages of Sidhra, Majeen and Rangoora. The project for development of the said colony estimated to cost Rs. 222.83 crores, involving land use of 648 hectares with completion period of ten years, was approved in April 1997. The project remained a non-starter even after incurring an expenditure of 11.86 crore. It is all the more disgusting to learn that the Authority failed to come up to the expectations of shelterless people,” said a few keen Watchers of Jammu scenario.
Moreover, the government of India launched Valmiki Ambedkar Awas Yojana in 2001 with the objective of providing shelter to the people living below poverty line in urban slums including members of economically weaker sections, who did not possess adequate shelter. The expenditure on the scheme was to be shared between the Central and State governments on 50:50 basis. As per the scheme guidelines, adequate drinking water, sanitation and drinking facilities were to be provided to the dwelling units. The Authority constructed 550 dwelling units under the scheme at a cost of Rs. 3.27 crore but without adequate sanitation and drinking water facilities. The Authority had allotted only 245 dwelling units at a cost of Rs. 1.46 crore and the remaining 305 units costing Rs. 1.81 crore remained un-allotted due to non-identification of beneficiaries and non-availability of drinking water and toilet facilities. It is disheartening to learn that 150 units were under un-authorized occupation. Such a venture has resulted in unfruitful expenditure of Rs. 1.81 crore.
It becomes, therefore, clear that the Authority lacked initiative and vision. If funds were available, then it should have gone ahead with the execution of dwelling units and ensured completion of satellite township at Sidhra. Besides targeted items projected in the Mater Plans formulated for the development of undeveloped areas in winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir State. What matters most in all developmental activities is planning, financial management and close supervision to ensure timely completion of the items. Such a management can produce results of high quality, curb corruption and that too within stipulated period to avoid extra cost due to escalation.
More 
