Probe utilisation of central funds — Farooq

JAMMU, FEB 29: Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has sought the setting up of a Commission to probe into the utilisation of funds released to...

JAMMU, FEB 29: Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has sought the setting up of a Commission to probe into the utilisation of funds released to the State by the Centre from time to time.

Winding up the reply on the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s address on the Budget session in the Legislative Council here on Monday, Farooq, in his hour-long speech, said the proposed probe should cover the period since 1948, or at least from 1975, when a government headed by the National Conference took over the reins of the State. The periods when the State was under Governor’s Rule should also be brought under its ambit, he added.

Farooq said people never tire of asking about the utilization of Central funds; let them know about it. "Probe into it….I don’t say my government is perfect. Some of my party members (NC legislators) say the government is inefficient. Unfortunately, they could not see whether they themselves were inefficient or just the government," he said.

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Responding to a query from BJP MLC Daya Krishan Kotwal, Farooq said a white paper on the fiscal situation of the State would be brought out soon. "In one or two days, the Cabinet will discuss the white paper."

He said his governance may be bad. "Even I may be wrong." The Commission could also find out to what extent funds had actually reached the people when various Governors administered the state under President’s Rule, he added.

Pleading for liberal funding for improving services like health and education besides reconstruction of damaged infrastructure, particularly temples and mosques, Farooq said though the Centre has loosened its purse strings where J&K is concerned, much more needs to be done in view of its peculiar situation, particularly in the wake of the colossal damage caused by militancy.

The Chief Minister said the state is faced with a financial crisis as the wage bill has touched a whopping Rs 2900 crore annually against the budget allocation of Rs 1750 crore. "People will have to choose between employment in the government sector and development," he said.

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He said though the overall financial situation is not that good in the country following the post-Pokhran test sanctions, the scenario is not so bad that the requirements of the State cannot be met. Farooq urged Kotwal and other leaders of the BJP to plead before the Centre for liberal financial assistance to the State.

Ridiculing the allegations that funds meant for development in the State were being "used" for promoting militancy, Farooq, said, "it is unfortunate that our enemies think that funds from the Centre go towards promoting militancy, which is not true. In fact, foreign countries, through various channels like hawala, are pushing in money, not only to Jammu and Kashmir but also to various parts of the country to fund subversive activities.