The Hindu 08.11.2010
JNNURM: ‘Government failed in fund utilisation’
Special Correspondent
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Elected representatives at loggerheads over project execution |
Vishwanath, MP, highlights lack of participation
by local institutions and NGOs
‘Absence of a sub-committee has resulted in substandard work being done’
MYSORE: Elected representatives are at loggerheads over
implementation of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission
(JNNURM) projects in the city.
Minister for Medical Education S.A. Ramdas, who is also in-charge of
Mysore district, had held a review meeting on Thursday, after which he
gave an impression that the JNNURM works were going smoothly. He claimed
that the eight projects in hand would be completed as scheduled.
However, A.H. Vishwanath, Mysore MP, who had also participated in the
review meeting, addressed presspersons here on Sunday, and said that
the statements made by Mr. Ramdas differed from what had been discussed.
He castigated the Minister for not taking interest in the projects
while he was an MLA.
Mr. Vishwanath urged Mr. Ramdas to “get acquainted with the facts and
figures of the JNNURM scheme.” He also expressed regret that the State
Government had failed to contribute anything under the JNNURM project
for development of tourism in Mysore.
He charged that the State Government had failed to utilise the funds
released under the JNNURM efficiently. He demanded that follow-up action
be taken immediately. Mr. Vishwanath called for expediting the process
of executing the JNNURM works in Mysore to utilise the full share of
money sanctioned by the Government.
The MP also alleged that the current Deputy Commissioner of Mysore
had not shown any interest in the project unlike the previous Deputy
Commissioner P. Manivannan, under whom a review meeting used to be held
every 15 days.
Hence, Mr. Vishwanath suggested appointing the Director General of
the Administrative Training Institute or the Regional Commissioner as
the special officer in-charge of the JNNURM. Mr. Vishwanath also pointed
out the lack of participation by local institutions and NGOs and called
for a separate Ministry to oversee the JNNURM works in both Mysore and
Bangalore.
He said the absence of a technical sub-committee to check standards
of the ongoing works had resulted in substandard works in Mysore.
Mr. Vishwanath also alleged that no new sites had been planned to
handle solid waste and the money was being spent on acquiring vehicles.
The MP pointed out that though Mysore was considered under the JNNURM
for being a heritage city, and it was unfortunate that not a single
heritage project had been prepared.