Rural Development Schemes-I
Jammu division has walked away with the lion’s share in allocation of funds under the union Rural Development Ministry monitored Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) during 2016-17.
As per official documents, Jammu division has been allocated 44 percent more funds as compared to the valley under the MGNREGA by union RRD.
The 10 districts of Jammu division had been allocated Rs 326.62 crores during 2016-17 as compared to Rs 217.73 crores for 10 districts of Kashmir and twin districts of Ladakh region during the same period.
The highest allocation of Rs 77.29 crores was accorded to Doda district followed by Kishtwar district with Rs 66.4 crores, reveals the official data.
Interestingly, the third highest allocation of Rs 39.95 crores has been accorded to nine assembly constituencies of Jammu — Marh, Raipur Domana, Suchetgarh, R.S Pura, Akhnoor, Nagrota, Bishnah, Gandhi Nagar and Chamb. It is more than any of the 12 districts of Kashmir division.
Gandhi Nagar, which lies in the heart of Jammu city, was provides Rs. 43.5 crores while the seven constituencies of Srinagar were collectively allotted Rs. 8.59 crores.
The Chadoora constituency of Budgam, which has a significant rural belt, has been allotted just Rs. 5 crores during 2016-17 under MGNREGA.
On utilization of funds, Valley is also lagging behind with 24 % funds unutilized as compared to just 4 % unutilized funds in Jammu region.
According to official records, the highest allocation in the Valley had been awarded to Kupwara district but as per official records it has failed to utilize 44 percent of funds as compared to 99.64 percent funds utilized by Kulgam district, which was worst hit by 2016 Kashmir unrest.
Interestingly, 89.27 % funds have been utilized in four districts of south Kashmir, which was epicentre of last year’s unrest, while 56.97 percent funds were utilized in three districts of North Kashmir, which was relatively less affected by the unrest.
In North Kashmir’s Bandipora district, only 23.46 percent funds were utilized during 2016-17. It got the distinction of being the worst performing district under MGNREGA in the state.
As per official data, 45084 works were taken up in Jammu division under MGNREGA during 2016-17 while only 37478 works were taken up in Kashmir division during the same period.
In Ladakh region, about 95 percent funds released under MGNREGA were utilized in Leh district and 86 percent in Kargil district.
According to the official data, the worst performing assembly constituency in the state under MGNREGA is Gurez of North Kashmir’s Bandipora district. Only 8 percent funds in the assembly segment were utilized. It was followed by Sonawari, Kupwara, Handwara and Langate constituencies.
