Food for thought

When it comes to playing with public money routed through the government, urban administrations can display a remarkably thick hide. Take Jorhat Municipal Board, for instance. Back in the days of UPA-II rule at the Centre, this board (then Congress led) received an allocation of Rs 17.5 crore to rebuild and modernize the bustling old Chowk Bazar in the commercial heart of the city. The first installment of Rs 1.5 crore was duly released. In October 2013, construction work began for a 3-storied market with multi-level car parking facility. Estimated to cost Rs 10.5 crore when finished, the project soon ran aground. Questions arose over the cost estimate drawn up by Town and Country Planning department, technical disputes cropped up between the constructor and the municipal board, a section of traders strongly objected to the market design, the site was only partially cleared and there were problems with the soil. The municipal board then decided to use the fund to upgrade the Garamur weekly market near Pujadubi. After the BJP-led government took charge in Assam, a fish market was opened in the new building. But this market too failed to take off — the proximity of a crematorium and a huge municipal dumping ground damaging its prospects. Why didn’t the municipal authority factor in these locational disadvantages before sinking money in this alternate market? Meanwhile, the Centre has been asking for refund of the money released, along with interest. After all, the fund sanctioned for one project had been diverted into another, that too with dismal outcome. While the Centre is continuing with the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) scheme primarily for developing infrastructure in Northeast region, the 90 percent central funding will continue for ongoing schemes only till March 2020. So if Jorhat Chowk Bazar misses this bus, when will funds be next forthcoming for its renovation? Efforts are reportedly on to settle this issue ‘politically’, with BJP-led dispensations holding the reins at town, State and Central levels. But it goes to show how wasteful a town administration can be with public money in building a public resource, and the irresponsibility in accounting for failure to the government itself. Sadly, there are numerous such examples scattered across the State.