Barriers to Progress in Jammu and Kashmir's Advancement Remain Backlogged Due to Political Obstacles
In the picturesque valleys of Kashmir, the towns of Tral in South Kashmir and Baramulla in North Kashmir are grappling with a lack of basic amenities.
In Tral, the local MLA, Rafiq Ahmad Naik, is prioritising the repair of roads, but the delay in the release of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) has hindered progress. The lack of better roads, improved healthcare, and educational services is a pressing concern for the residents.
The local healthcare facilities are poor, and there is a lack of a separate college for girls. Ishfaq Ahmad Kar, the chairman of Civil Society Tral, is advocating for the construction of a women's college in the main town of Tral, rather than a distant location.
A key project of a common building to house all government offices in Tral has been dragging on for several years. The delay in the approval and execution of developmental projects has led to frustration among the locals.
The situation is not much different in Baramulla. Residents are frustrated with the encroachment of the drainage network, which causes flooding even during mild rain. They are also dismayed over the slow pace of developmental works, with a lack of a safe drinking water supply and good roads.
The scheme for CDF envisages that the District Development Commissioner (DDC) shall prepare estimates, vet proposals technically, and accord administrative approvals within 45 days of receiving recommendations from the MLA. However, delays in the approval process have been a recurring issue.
NC's Baramulla MLA Javed Hassan Baig accuses bureaucrats of deliberately delaying the approval of developmental works. This allegation is echoed by the National Congress and the Congress, who blame the Lieutenant Governor for hindering developmental projects.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators are accusing Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of hiding his failures on the developmental front. The former advisor to the CM and senior NC leader Mubarak Gul expresses frustration with the clearance process of developmental works, citing delays and a cumbersome process.
In a recent development, AAP MLA Mehraj Malik was booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA) by the Deputy Commissioner of Doda for abusing him through a social media post. The PSA, which enables DCs to detain people without a court trial for months, has been criticized by human rights bodies.
Despite large crowds voting in the Assembly elections last year, the situation has not improved much in Tral and Baramulla. The locals are hoping for swift action and resolution to their long-standing issues.
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