Dev works in J&K await funds stalled due to MCC

Jammu, Oct 03: The work on several development projects in the Union Terri-tory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has been halted as the funds are not being released due to imposition of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) since the beginning of the assembly elections.
A senior officer revealed that only a little work is being done on the ongoing projects however new projects are not being taken up due to non-release of funds.
The MCC came into force in J&K after the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced Assembly elections in J&K on August 16th.
“The funds have been stalled for various development works in J&K due to im-position of Model Code of Conduct (MCC),” a senior officer in the Tourism Department said, adding, “Various development works of various departments are being affected due to non-release of funds in view of MCC”.
“We are expecting release of funds for carrying out various development works after October 8th once the results of Assembly elections are announced and a new government is formed in J&K, ” a senior officer said over the conditions of anonymity.
He said that the contractors are not being paid for ongoing development works as a result the work on these projects has almost come to a grinding halt.
Due to the monsoon, many roads in J&K have been damaged but the tenders for undertaking works have not been floated due to MCC, sources said.
Adding, “The things would be streamlined after formation of govt in J&K and funds will start flowing for development works.”