WE THE PEOPLE
Unfavorable weather conditions largely contribute towards non-utilization and surrender of funds in Kashmir valley
Hence creation of ‘Lapse Fund Accounts’ becomes necessary to avoid surrenders and check regional imbalance
By: M.Shirjeel
Srinagar: Kashmir valley has peculiar geographic and topographical characteristics, which call for special treatment to avoid any regional imbalance. It has been observed that Kashmir Valley has been getting deprived of its budgeted allocations due to unfavorable weather conditions every year. Under this garb, major chunks of funds get diverted to Jammu region on the pretext that these were not utilized in this part of the State. The diversion of funds as such has been causing a severe setback to the developmental face of the Valley. Sensing such a disparity, demand for creation of `Lapse Fund Accounts’ in the Government Departments of the Valley has gained momentum. This can put an end to the practice of fund diversion from Kashmir Division to Jammu region at the fag end of every financial year.
As is known to all of us that the working season in Kashmir valley lasts for eight to nine months in a year on an average, resulting thereby in the lapse of funds and their safe passage and diversion to the Jammu province, where weather conditions remain favorable for almost full year. In the absence of Lapse Fund Accounts, a large number of departments including the Engineering Departments resort to hasty and unplanned execution of development works in the valley, which show failures immediately after some period of time. This is the reason that patchwork on the roads has become a continuous feature and alleged source for misuse of funds. It is the case with the works being executed by Irrigation, Public Health Engineering and other spending Departments. Hot haste in execution of development works affects quality and durability of structures. After all funds generated for development works are drawn from general public through realization of various taxes and as such squandering public money is the biggest crime. But substantial sums of Plan funds have allegedly been getting diverted to Jammu province, which is not only unfair but unjustified too.
“ It was quite shocking to see leaders of Sangrash Simiti during Amarnath land row to raise bogey of discrimination with Jammu region. The fact of the matter is that Kashmir valley, particularly city of Srinagar stands neglected and ignored so far. Moreover, it has been noticed over the past two decades that funds have been getting diverted to Jammu before close of financial year, which has given a new charm to Jammu region at the cost of Kashmir Valley. During the Governor rule 1990-96, above 60 per cent of funds earmarked for the development of Kashmir Valley got allegedly diverted to Jammu. We are aghast to see those remote parts of Jammu province well developed whereas some central pockets of Kashmir Valley are yet to be developed. If we conduct a recky of the farthest parts of Kashmir Valley, it will take another two decades to improve their condition. Had money allocated for Kashmir Valley been spent properly, the Valley would be wearing a different look today. It seems that those discharged with the duty of development of the State as a whole have not paid due attention to this region, thereby leading to undeveloped pockets. It is high time that justice is done and a balance struck between the two regions of the State. The lopsided development has created heart burning and resentment. It is for the authorities at the helm of affairs to ensure spending of budgeted allocations rationally and past practice stopped once for all. Besides imbalance caused due to diversion of resources needs to be set right”, said a group of knowledgeable persons of the city of Srinagar.
Hence, creation of ‘Lapse Fund Accounts’ becomes obligatory to avoid annual diversion of funds to Jammu region. The proposed methodology will ensure proper utilization of development funds in the Valley and avoid surrender of allocated Plan funds. The idea of Lapse Fund Accounts is a feasible proposition. This practice is in vogue in the Ministry of Defence where Departments under their control are being allowed to utilize lapsed funds during the following financial year. In fact, this practice is also prevalent in some other states of the country. Therefore, adoption of this codal procedure will not go against the system, but ensure fair play of justice. The earlier this is done the better!
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