STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: Disgruntled over the non-satisfactory reply by the Government over the issue of discrimination in power distribution with Jammu, Pawan Kumar Gupta MLA Udhampur on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the issue stating that government’s prejudice through diverting Jammu’s power share to Kashmir has crippled the life of people facing extreme weather conditions in Jammu region.
Countering the reply of Deputy Chief Minister and Incharge PDD, Dr Nirmal Singh, Pawan expressed concern over the lackadaisical approach of the Government for not carrying out properly the RAPDRP Schemes initiated in the year 2009 with Grant in Aid of Rs. 1817.26 crore fixing the date of completion by March 2016, subject to the condition the Aggregate Technical and Commercial losses would be reduced to 15 per cent otherwise it was to be treated as loan. He slammed the irresponsible officers of the State for not completing the Scheme despite lapse of seven years. “The current pace of work shows that State will take years together to complete the same and reported extension of time by November 2016 will remain on papers only”, he said adding that Grant in Aid is bound to be converted as loan by putting extra ordinary burden on the fiscal health of the State. Gupta brought to light on the floor of the house that the company engaged by the PDD under RAPDRP is using sub standard material. He also alleged that Udhampur District has also been discriminated by allotting requisite funds under DDUGJY Scheme as compared to the allocation of other districts and the DPR of the Scheme by the department without the consultation of the concerned MLA will deprive large areas from electrification programme.
Pawan also raised issues of discrimination with Jammu Region by quoting the examples of Capex Budget.
“The Jammu region is going to be totally neglected from the damages caused to Horticulture area as the entire 70 Crore Budget is going to be disbursed in Kashmir Valley despite of the fact that in Jammu also there were heavy damages to the Horticulture crops”, he pointed out. He demanded government’s focus on promoting Horticulture sector in Jammu region. Besides, the MLA demanded Silk and Food Parks for Udhampur and Saffron promotion in Pancheri area.
