JKPCC in disarray, will have to take final call soon: Deputy CM

Jammu, Mar 9: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Monday asserted that the Jammu and Kashmir Project Constructions Corporation (JKPCC) seemed to be in total disarray and a final call to decide about its future would have to be taken very soon.

He was speaking to the media after conducting a surprise inspection of the Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation head office here in Jammu.

“Today I have come to inspect the functioning of JKPCC, which used to be one of our premier organisations of the Public Works Department (PWD). The organisation (JKPCC) used to enjoy a great reputation in J&K. Maximum big construction projects of PWD were to be executed by it (JKPCC) only. For the past several years, it has been running into losses. Many of the works, being executed by it, are lying incomplete. PWD has taken over to complete those projects,” Choudhary said, while responding to media queries about the objective behind his surprise inspection.

Choudhary said that during the Governor rule, talks were on to wind up JKPCC, adding, “That file is still in the process. But I want to see myself and have first-hand knowledge of the exact status of JKPCC and its functioning.”

While responding to media queries about the status of JKPCC, he observed during the inspection, the Deputy Chief Minister said, “Today when I came here to take stock of the situation here in the JKPCC office, I found an organisation completely in disarray. It will not be an exaggeration to say that I’ve found a lack-lustre organisation during my visit. I found surplus employees here and surprisingly – all daily wagers. From where such a large number of daily wagers have come – is a puzzle. If the department had no work to execute, why were so many daily wagers appointed? Who appointed them and how? This will be another story.”

“Since I’ve taken stock of the situation myself. I’ll raise this issue as I’m the chairman of this Corporation and the in-charge Minister PWD. This comes under my charge so I’ll hold an elaborate review meeting to assess its functioning. Off and on, we receive a complaint from employees here (in JKPCC) about non-payment of salary. After proper review, we will have to take a final call about JKPCC – whether to continue it or to wind it up. We will see to it very soon,” Choudhary said.

He stated that the Chief Minister too had given certain directions.

“We have also elicited comments from a team of experts. Probably MD JKPCC took this feedback the previous day. We will look into those comments and the expert opinion. The government will take a decisive call on the Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC) if it has to continue functioning or it needs to be closed,” Choudhary said.