Srinagar, Feb 28 (KNS): The lack of sufficient funds for developmental initiatives and schemes is turning out a major roadblock for practically implementing the developmental promises made by Lt Governor Administration with people.
When asked a Secretary level officer why certain decisions taken by his department are not implemented on the ground, he on the condition of anonymity told KNS that they literally feel handicapped due to lack of funds.
“What can we do without funds? We complete all the formalities whatever is required to initiative certain projects, but then due to lack of funds developmental projects don’t start,” he told KNS.
“I cannot even pressurise my subordinate staff to start works, when there are no funds. We also feel ashamed to meet people again and again with hollow promises,” he added.
Regarding the success of much hyped back to village programmes, a Deputy Commissioner informed KNS that they submitted all the demands as per the criteria given by government to higher ups, but still no funds were released.
“People were enthusiastic to participate in first phase of Back to Village programme, but in 2nd phase of the programme attendance was thin. Even officers were unwilling to again go to same designated village fearing backlash from public,” he told KNS.
He added that they as heads of district, he can ensure accountability and transparency, “but I cannot push officials to spend money from their pockets,” he said wishing anonymity.
Interestingly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his monthly radio broadcast in July this year had made a two-minute-long mention of the programme after, and said he received a message from a local resident of the area hailing the programme.
Many political and social activists in the valley said that motive behind launching big programmes, bringing central ministers to hear grievances in Kashmir and now another round with secretary level officers is to create an impression that the things are hunky-dory here. “The real intention of the government is not to solve grievances of people at the grassroot level but to project normalcy here,” he said.
It is important to mention that BJP leader Sunil Sharma told Kashmir Magazine- sister concern of KNS that bureaucrats behave as politicians in J&K. (KNS).