Jammu: The government on Monday had to face severe criticism from opposition legislators who alleged that the state is witnessing inequitable development.
National Conference (NC) leader and MLA Budgam, Aga Rahulla said the equitable development promised by the then Chief minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed was not visible on ground.
“PDP-BJP alliance was justified by the then Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed saying that the J&K state will witness equitable development. But no such development is visible on grounds,” Rahulla said.
Speaking during the discussion on grants for roads and buildings (R&B) department, Rahulla accused the government of adopting biased approach towards the development of Kashmir saying that development was visible on only one side of the tunnel.
Rahulla said the way government was not equally focused on four lanning of Jammu-Srinagar national highway.
“There is disparity in government approach towards four lanning of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway. We don’t experience equal focus and attention of government on both the sides of the tunnel,” the NC MLA said.
“Work on Jammu-Srinagar highway is going at snail’s pace which should be expedited. Besides, the government has not started any new project in its tenure but is missing deadlines on the works initiated by the previous government,” he said.
Rahulla said government was not giving much attention on the developmental projects under execution in Kashmir.
“Work on flyover in Jammu and Srinagar was started at the same time but the Jammu flyover has been made functional while as government has missed many deadlines to complete the Jehangir chowk-Rambagh flyover,” Rahulla said.
He said the government should have given same focus on Zogilla tunnel as that of given to Nashree tunnel.
“We are not against development of Jammu region but we want the government should give same attention and be focused in Kashmir, which however is missing,” he said.
He said government didn’t come up to the expectations of the people in terms of development as was promised at the time of PDP-BJP alliance.
“At the time of Alliance, Mufti sahib justified it and said government of India will open doors of development for all the three regions but nothing is visible on ground,” he said.
Another senior leader of NC, Muhammad Shafi Uri told the House that the government has forgotten the commitments made by the former CM Mufti Muhammad Sayeed during his visit to Uri area.
“Day after formation of alliance, Mufti sahib visited Uri and he made commitments for up gradation of roads in the area but there is no development on grounds,” he said.
He said the Mufti Sayeed made his commitments for public welfare which have been “apparently rejected” by the government now.
“Were his (Mufti) commitments valid during his tenure only?” Shafi Uri asked.
Another NC leader and MLA Eid Gah, Mubarak Gul asked the government to complete the liabilities pending with the R&B department and do away with the partiality in macadamization of roads.
“There is a huge pendency in PWD department and tendering process is very slow. There is disparity in allocation of funds to constituencies due to which internal roads in constituency were not macadamized,” he said.
However, a ruling PDP MLA, Yawar Mir while speaking on grants said the work culture of Jammu and Kashmir Project Construction Corporation (JKPCC) was playing spoilsport for the road and buildings departments.
“The department has done a commendable job but projects executed by JKPCC are not completed on time. They remain concerned only about the supervisory cost but not the completion of the projects,” Yamar Mir said. “Projects are pending with them from last three years,” he said.