Guwahati, Feb. 16: A latest report brought by the department for development of northeastern region (Doner) has pointed out how previously-funded projects are being allowed to rot, thanks to the Assam government’s lack of initiative.
The state government has yet again faced flak from the Doner for not starting work on a 1,250-capacity auditorium in the city, as is the case with many other projects.
The Doner had released Rs 5 crore in 2001 for the purpose, but it is yet to be implemented by the culture department.
The tenders, too, have not been floated.
A Doner report says power projects in Assam, funded under the non-lapsable central pool, could not be started in time due to delay in releasing funds to the power department. The issue came up when John K. Sellate, deputy secretary, Doner, visited Assam in December to review the progress of projects under the non-lapsable central pool of resources and site inspections of power projects in the Bodo Autonomous Council areas.
“This indicates that the project when posed for funding was not in readiness for implementation. The state government has not taken sufficient initiative to get the project started,” Sellate said in his report.
The report said there was no definite project implementation schedule. “Funds released so far are locked up for a long period while the envisaged benefits of the project remain unfulfilled,” the report added.
Doner said the “lack of adequate initiative and seriousness” on the part of the implementing department is clearly the reason for the delay.
It has asked the government to review the project at the highest level to bring in accountability of the department concerned.
“A definite time-frame should be worked out for completing it without further delay,” it added. Doner has pointed out that the project on upgradation of the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital is also incomplete, as the sewage treatment plant for which Rs 1.09 crore was earmarked had not been taken up. The entire amount of Rs 8 crore was released on February 2000.
“Even after a lapse of two years and 10 months, the project remains incomplete. The state government should sort out the problem facing the project and ensure speedy completion by March,” the report said.
In the power sector, work on the Kathalguri-Tinsukia power line, stretching 30 km, which was taken up during 1998-99, is still not complete due to non-release of funds by the state government to the power department.