Azad anguished over poor utilisation of funds in TDAs

Srinagar, Aug 25 (UNI) Expressing anguish over poor utilisation of funds under the Tourism Development Authorities (TDAs) during the past two years, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad asserted that it has become imperative to hand over works to reputed national construction companies for speedy development of the state.

He underscored the need for speedy and massive development of infrastructure in the state for which executing agencies of national repute were being involved.

At a high-level meeting here, the Chief Minister said his government was actively considering handing over the construction work of seven new degree colleges to the National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC), New Delhi.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for early execution of these projects would soon be signed, he added.

The projects comprise degree colleges at Beerwah, Budgam, Pattan in Kashmir province and Samba, Kathua, Mendhar and Basohli in Jammu division, Mr Azad said, adding funds for these projects have already been released.

The meeting last evening also reviewed the pace of the ongoing development projects taken up under the Prime Minister's Reconstruction Programme in all parts of the state.

The Chief Minister said the Roads and Buildings and the Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC) were already engaged in execution of several development projects under various centrally and state funded schemes.

He directed the executive agencies of the state to ensure timely completion of development projects and exhorted them to work with dedication, devotion and honesty.

Mr Azad also warned them for any delay in completion of these projects within the stipulated time-frame and said officials found negligent would be strictly punished.

UNI AG YA HT1810