GoI asks JK Govt for detailed proposal on Jhelum dredging

Srinagar, July 4: The Government of India has asked for a detailed proposal on the vital Jhelum dredging project from the state government and is ready to fully fund the project under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) announced for the state in 2015.
Jhelum, the river that crisscrosses through the valley, was supposed to be dredged for increasing its carrying capacity in wake of the 2014 floods that submerged many parts of the city.
However, even after four years, the authorities have not completed the dredging and a few days of rainfall fills the river up to its banks creating panic among the residents.
Kashmir, only a few days ago, was gearing up for another deluge hadn’t the rains stopped and the water levels receded.
Keeping the dreary record of authorities in mind, the Centre, a source told The Kashmir Monitor, is mulling to supervise the project on its own and fully fund it but expects the state government to file a detailed proposal and pace up the work.
On Wednesday Advisor to Governor, Khurshid Ahmed Ganai, held a meeting in this regard.
“On dredging the Jhelum, the meeting was informed that central government has asked for a detailed proposal from the state government for full funding of the project under PMDP,” a government spokesman said.
Ganai, as per the spokesman, said that every possible effort would be made to get more funds for accelerating the developmental initiatives being implemented under the centrally sponsored schemes.
The Advisor was speaking at a meeting with administrative secretaries to review the progress of implementation of the centrally-sponsored schemes (CSSs).
The administrative secretaries of various departments including PHE, Irrigation & FC, Education, Floriculture, Agriculture, Revenue, Social Welfare, Tourism, Motor Vehicle Department, Horticulture, Roads & Buildings and other concerned attended the meeting.
The administrative secretaries apprised the Advisor about several issues pertaining to the implementation of various centrally-sponsored schemes in the state.
It was further informed that the social welfare department has raised several issues with the central government for smooth implementation of the departmental schemes.
During the review of the Agriculture sector, the Advisor asked the officials to raise the issue of adequate funding of farmer-related schemes with the central government.
Similarly, the officers of Education department apprised the Advisor of its issues related to SSA scheme which requires funding to the tune of Rs 800 crore.
The meeting also discussed the merger of SSA related schemes under Samagra Shiksha scheme as proposed by the Government of India.
Under PMGSY scheme the R&B department furnished cumulative figures of 1500 crore that are required to carry out the developmental works under phase 10-12, besides other works in the state.
The officials from other departments informed the Advisor that there are no major issues pending with their respective department with regard to the implementation of various centrally-sponsored schemes.