Centre gave Rs 242.77 Cr for bunker constructions since 2021; J&K spent Rs 129.67 Cr only

Jammu, Jun 29: The Government of India has provided total funds amounting to Rs 242.77 crore since 2021 till date to the Jammu and Kashmir government for construction of bunkers for civilians in border areas yet the latter has only spent Rs 129.67 crore.

This startling revelation has been provided by the J&K Home Department in reply to an application filed under the Right to information (RTI) Act by an RTI activist Raman Sharma.

As per reply, the Centre has given Rs 24277.85 lakhs to the J&K Government through the Finance Department of the Union Territory during the financial year 2020-2021 till May, 2025 for construction of bunkers for civilians in eight border districts of Jammu and Kashmir. These districts include five districts in Jammu division and three in Kashmir division.

However, the J&K government has spent so far only Rs 12967.869 lakh out of this amount, which forms around 53 percent of the total amount received. In 2020-21, the Centre released Rs 6918.31 lakhs while J&K could utilise only 4881.106 lakhs. UT government was provided Rs 4170 lakhs in 2021-22; Rs 8189.54 lakhs in 2022-23; Rs 2500 lakhs in 2023-2024; again Rs 2500 lakhs in 2024-25 and nil in 2025-26. However, J&K used 3318.548 lakhs in 2021-22; Rs 2275.313 lakhs in 2022-23; Rs 846.64 lakhs (lowest) in 2023-2024 and Rs 1646.26 lakhs in 2024-25. As per year-wise funds released in border districts, in 2020-21, Jammu district got Rs 1158.99 lakhs. It received Rs 368.20 lakhs in 2021-22; Rs 167.95 lakhs in 2022-23; Rs 25.92 lakhs in 2023-24 and Rs 30.11 lakhs in 2024-25.

Samba district was provided Rs 621.45 lakhs in 2020-21; Rs 483.40 lakhs in 2021-22; Rs 1896.93 lakhs in 2022-23; Rs 294.32 lakhs in 2023-24 and Rs 913.58 lakhs in 2024-25. Kathua district got Rs 196.42 lakhs in 2020-21; Rs 338.20 lakhs in 2021-22; Rs 1900 lakhs in 2022-23; Rs 795 lakhs in 2023-24 and Rs 491.37 lakhs in 2024-25. Rajouri district received Rs 1994.16 lakhs in 2020-21; Rs 1308 lakhs in 2021-22; Rs 3020.08 lakhs in 2022-23; Rs 857.76 lakhs in 2023-24 and Rs 625.57 lakhs in 2024-25. Poonch district was released Rs 1208.40 lakhs in 2020-21; Rs 1202.20 lakhs in 2021-22; Rs 1204.58 lakhs in 2022-23; Rs 527 lakhs in 2023-24 and Rs 314.54 lakhs in 2024-25. Kupwara district was given Rs 1138.89 lakhs in 2020-21; Rs 290 lakhs in 2021-22 and Rs 56.50 lakhs in 2024-25. Baramulla district received Rs 200 lakhs in 2020-21; Rs 150 lakhs in 2021-22 and Rs 65.23 lakhs in 2024-25. Bandipora district was given Rs 400 lakhs in 2020-21; Rs 30 lakhs in 2021-22 and Rs 3 lakhs in 2024-25.