Not a single TDA fully utilized available funds in last 2 yrs
*Time to shift focus from allocation to utilization
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Mar 1: Despite substantial allocations for tourism infrastructure across both Jammu and Kashmir divisions, financial figures under the Capex Budget of last two years reveal a significant gap between funds sanctioned and actual expenditure thus pointing towards persistent under-utilization of available resources across several Tourism Development Authorities (TDAs).
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The financial records for the year 2023-24 reflect strong Governmental intent to accelerate infrastructure and tourism development. Authorities approved allocations amounting to Rs 9457 lakh for Kashmir division and Rs 6175 lakh for Jammu division. Against this, an amount of Rs 5059.15 lakh was made available for the Kashmir division and Rs 3333.78 lakh for Jammu division during the year.
However, actual expenditure stood at Rs 2250.62 lakh in Kashmir division and Rs 1566.24 lakh in Jammu division during the year leaving a sizeable portion of funds un-utilised despite pressing developmental needs.
The trend continued during the financial year 2024-25. The allocation for the Kashmir division during the year was Rs 7672.35 lakh against which an amount of Rs 5785.24 lakh was made available. However, expenditure was Rs 3166.17 lakh.
Similarly, during the year 2024-25, an amount of Rs 6098.05 lakh was approved for the Jammu division but the actual amount made available was Rs 4309.58 lakh. However, the expenditure was Rs 3070.79 lakh. These figures clearly indicate that utilization of funds failed to keep pace with the availability of the funds to the Directorate of Tourism Kashmir, Directorate of Tourism Jammu and Tourism Development Authorities in both the regions although the funds were meant for upgrading infrastructure and creating facilities for the domestic and international visitors.
As per the data, funds to the tune of Rs 1713.87 lakh were made available to the Director Tourism Kashmir in the year 2023-24. But the utilization was Rs 472.22 lakh. Similarly, against availability of Rs 2370.88 lakh during the year 2024-25, the expenditure was only Rs 779.91 lakh.
Similarly, against availability of Rs 1917.59 lakh with the Directorate of Tourism Jammu during the year 2023-24, the expenditure was only Rs 928.09 lakh. Likewise, in the year 2024-25, expenditure was to the tune of Rs 1465.56 lakh against the availability of Rs 2007.62 lakh.
As far as Tourism Development Authorities of Jammu region are concerned, Patnitop Development Authority registered expenditure of Rs 111.23 lakh against availability of Rs 407.20 lakh during the year 2023-24 and Rs 285.70 lakh against the availability of Rs 474.02 lakh during the year 2024-25. Similarly, all other authorities-Tourism Development Authorities for Surinsar-Mansar, Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, Bani-Basohli, Billawar-Duggan, Poonch and Rajouri registered far less expenditure in comparison to the availability of funds during the last two years.
Regarding Tourism Work Plan, the data reveals that against availability of Rs 3833.36 lakh during 2023-24 and Rs 2189.69 lakh during 2024-25, the expenditure was Rs 777.45 lakh and Rs 1166.35 lakh respectively. Likewise, Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation registered expenditure of Rs 579.07 lakh against the availability of Rs 766.17 lakh during 2023-24 and Rs 255.63 lakh against availability of Rs 359.20 lakh during 2024-25.
The data further reveals that there was hardly any Tourism Development Authority which fully utilized the available funds during these two years.
“Administrative delays, lengthy tender procedures and seasonal construction limitations in mountainous regions have been cited as reasons but such challenges have long been known and should have been anticipated during planning”, sources said, adding “the glaring gap between available funds and actual spending has raised questions about whether administrative machinery is adequately equipped to handle rapidly expanding development budgets”.
“Tourism serves as a key economic lifeline for thousands of families dependent on hospitality, transport services, handicrafts and local businesses. Delayed infrastructure projects translate directly into postponed employment opportunities and slower regional economic expansion”, sources said, adding “timely utilisation of Capex funds could significantly enhance tourism competitiveness and stimulate private investment across the region”.
They further said, “there is a dire need to shift focus from budget announcements to utilization performance as continued under-utilisation risks undermining public confidence in development initiatives”.
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