Chamber, admn headed for clash over ‘corrupt’ IAS officers

Sumit Hakhoo

Tribune News Service

Jammu, May 24

The Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) and the state administration is heading for a major showdown over the alleged posting of some ‘corrupt and inefficient’ IAS officers at decision-making positions in the state, which has hit tourism, trade and industry sectors.

JCCI, a powerful body representing interests of the trade and industry stakeholders in Jammu region, has alleged that some officials, shunted out for their poor performance in the past, were being rehabilitated by the state administration and given important administrative designations, hitting development activities.

“We have already served a seven-day ultimatum to the state administration, headed by Governor Satya Pal Malik. We seek his intervention so that officials are made accountable for their actions and removed forthwith. Otherwise we will start an agitation”, said Rakesh Gupta, president of the JCCI.

The chamber has blamed the administration and some senior officials for creating a mess and deliberately scuttling and slowing down projects announced for Jammu. The JCCI has claimed that detailed project report (DPR) of projects worth Rs 1,600 crore, under Prime Minister’s Development package, had not been submitted by officials, resulting in lapse of funds. “Most of the projects related to tourism development are hanging fire or missed deadline several times. Nobody is being made accountable for the poor implementation of projects, depriving Jammu of promises made by the previous government,” rued Rajesh Gupta, senior vice president, JCCI.

Several projects, including Mubarak Mandi palace development and artificial lake on river Tawi, are yet to be completed or thrown open for public, the JCCI added.