KU organizes Extension lecture on Decentralized planning in J&K state

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An extension lecture on the theme ‘Decentralized Planning in J&K State, An Experience, was organized by Department of Economics, University of Kashmir today in the conference room of the department of economics .

G. A. Qureshi, Director General, Directorate of Economics and Statistics, J&K Government ,while presenting his views on the decentralization planning in the state said that The J&K state has the privilege of being in the forefront of decentralized economic planning in the country. He said an innovative initiative of “Single Line Administration” was taken in the year 1976 to plan development at the district level in consultation with the elected and other representative of the people. Qureshi added that he objective was to achieve growth with justice through democratic decentralization making the planning process representative responsive and accountable at the gross root level. However, the process did not proceed further to its logical culmination except in case of Ladakh Region observed Qureshi . The case of Ladakh Hill Development Council is a real representative of successful decentralized planning but its replication can have significant political costs he observed .

The speaker said that presently, in our State the approved plan resources are allocated between State and district sector arbitrarily without strict adherence to any formula. He added that this is also the case with inter-district allocation of funds. Other problems related with the process of decentralized planning are at the level of implementation. The lack of transparent public policy open to public debate has itself been responsible for the lack effectiveness of such planning.

The speaker notied that to overcome these barriers our State, therefore, has to devise a rational mechanism for distribution of plan funds based upon a multi-indicator formula to address area specific problems to bring regional balanced development. Further, it should be mandatory for the District Development Boards to conduct Mid-term appraisals of the District Plans so as to ensure effective monitoring and achievement of the objectives set for a particular time period as envisaged in the Government Order he added . qureshi said that a District Development Board should be assisted by Technical Advisory Groups for different sectors consisting of professionals from Govt. academic institutions and Non-Govt. Organizations.

While introducing the speaker and the topic of the session the Head, Department of Economics, Professor A. S. Bhat raised important issues concerning the nature and outcome of decentralization planning. Despite the implementation of decentralized planning variations in the indicators of development including social, income and infrastructure indicators exhibit unacceptable inequality. This strongly calls for the renewed introspection into the whole debate of decentralization and its effectiveness in the context of the state. He further stressed the need of rational distribution mechanism of funds across the regions and districts in the state.