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Business Standard
a day ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Nearly half of bunker funds unspent in J&K despite rising border threats
Almost half of the central government funds meant for building underground bunkers to protect border residents in Jammu and Kashmir have not been spent over the past five years, according to data shared under a Right to Information (RTI) application. The fact was brought to light at a time of growing concern about civilian safety following Operation Sindoor and heavy cross-border firing last month. Details of fund allocation and spending Responding to a Right to Information application filed by Jammu-based activist Raman Kumar, the Jammu and Kashmir Home Department said that an amount of ₹242.77 crore was given to the Union Territory administration headed by the lieutenant governor between 2020–21 and 2024–25. However, 46.58 per cent of the funds remain unspent. According to the figures shared, Rajouri district used the most funds at ₹78.05 crore, followed by Poonch (₹44.56 crore), Samba (₹42.09 crore), Kathua (₹37.20 crore), Jammu (₹17.51 crore), Kupwara (₹14.85 crore), Bandipora (₹4.33 crore), and Baramulla (₹4.15 crore). In February 2021, India and Pakistan agreed to enforce a renewed ceasefire along these borders, bringing relief to people living near the IB and LoC. The original ceasefire agreement was signed in 2003 but was frequently violated by Pakistan, with over 5,000 breaches in 2020 alone. Bunker construction plans and progress In 2018–19, the Centre approved the construction of 14,460 bunkers at a cost of ₹415.73 crore for residents facing Pakistani shelling. Of these, 7,298 were meant for the LoC areas in Poonch and Rajouri, and 7,162 for villages along the IB in Jammu, Kathua and Samba. Later, more than 4,000 additional bunkers were sanctioned for vulnerable areas in north Kashmir districts like Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo said that so far, 9,500 bunkers have been built along the India–Pakistan border in the Union Territory. These bunkers have saved lives during recent shelling, although homes and livestock suffered damage. Activist expresses concern over low spending Sharing the Home Department's reply with PTI, activist Raman Kumar expressed surprise at the non-utilisation of funds during the relatively peaceful years along the borders. 'Only 53.42 per cent of the funds were utilised between 2020–21 and 2024–25,' he said. The Home Department explained: 'Total funds amounting to ₹24,277.85 lakh (₹242.778 crore) have been given by the Government of India to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir through the Finance Department, J&K, during the financial year 2020–21 till date for construction of bunkers for civilians in border districts of Jammu and Kashmir.' Funds were released as follows: ₹6,918.31 lakh in 2020–21, ₹4,170 lakh in 2021–22, ₹8,189.54 lakh in 2022–23, and ₹2,500 lakh each in 2023–24 and 2024–25. However, the reply stated that the J&K administration has spent only ₹12,967.869 lakh (₹129.678 crore) on building bunkers for civilians. The yearly spending was ₹4,881.108 lakh in 2020–21, ₹3,318.548 lakh in 2021–22, ₹2,275.313 lakh in 2022–23, ₹846.64 lakh in 2023–24, and ₹1,646.26 lakh in 2024–25. Civilian casualties during recent shelling A total of 27 people, mostly civilians, lost their lives and 70 were injured in intense Pakistani shelling and drone attacks on forward villages in Jammu and Kashmir. This followed missile strikes by Indian armed forces on terror infrastructure across the border during the night of May 6 and 7, under Operation Sindoor, launched to avenge the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 25 tourists and a local service provider. Poonch and Rajouri saw most of the civilian casualties, leading to renewed calls for building more safety bunkers along the borders. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited affected areas soon after the ceasefire was restored on May 10. He promised a new policy to build individual bunkers. 'Community bunkers had been built, but they were not used for so long. No new bunker has come up in many years. Wherever I went, people said we should build individual bunkers,' he said. 'The government will frame a policy on that, and a scheme will be formulated for the people in these areas which are closer to the LoC and the border, and that would then be taken up with the central government,' he added. He stressed that community bunkers remain essential. 'We will ensure the construction of more such safer spaces to protect and support our people living in border areas,' he said.
Deccan Herald
a day ago
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Nearly half of central funds for border bunkers in J&K lie unused, reveals RTI
Responding to the Right To Information application filed by Jammu-based activist Raman Kumar, the Jammu and Kashmir Home Department said, an amount of Rs 242.77 crore was given to the Union Territory administration headed by the Lt Governor between 2020-21 and 2024-25.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Nearly half of central funds for border bunkers in J&K lie unused, reveals RTI
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has not utilised nearly half of the central funds allocated for building underground bunkers for border residents over the last five years, according to information obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) application. The revelation comes amid heightened calls for civilian safety, following last month's Operation Sindoor and the intense cross-border shelling. Responding to the Right To Information application filed by Jammu-based activist Raman Kumar, the Jammu and Kashmir Home Department said, an amount of ₹242.77 crore was given to the Union Territory administration headed by the Lt Governor between 2020-21 and 2024-25. However, 46.58% of the money remains unspent. It said Rajouri district accounted for the highest utilisation of funds to the tune of ₹78.05 crore followed by Poonch (₹44.56 crore), Samba (₹42.09 crore), Kathua (₹37.20 crore), Jammu (₹17.51 crore), Kupwara (₹14.85 crore), Bandipora (₹4.33 crore) and Baramulla (₹4.15 crore). India shares a 3,323-km border with Pakistan, of which 221 km of the International Border (IB) and 744 km of the Line of Control (LoC) fall in Jammu and Kashmir. The Centre initially sanctioned the construction of 14,460 individual and community bunkers for ₹415.73 crore for border residents facing Pakistani shelling along the LoC and the IB in 2018-19. While 7,298 bunkers were sanctioned for the population along the LoC in the twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri, 7,162 underground bunkers got approved for villages along the IB in Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts. Later, the government sanctioned more than 4,000 bunkers to cover a more vulnerable population, including the areas falling in the north Kashmir districts of Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara. According to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, so far, 9,500 bunkers have been set up along the India-Pakistan border in the Union Territory. The bunkers proved to be a lifesaver for the border residents during the intense Pakistani shelling last month, minimising human loss, even as massive damage was caused to residential houses, besides the loss of livestock. Sharing the reply of the Home Department with PTI here, Mr. Kumar expressed surprise over the non-utilisation of funds during the relatively peaceful years along the borders. "Only 53.42% of the funds were utilised between 2020-21 and 2024-25," he said. The Home Department said, "Total funds amounting to ₹24,277.85 lakh (₹242.778 crore) have been given by the government of India to the government of Jammu and Kashmir through the Finance Department, J&K during the financial year 2020-21 till date for construction of bunkers for civilians in border districts of Jammu and Kashmir." It said, an amount of ₹6,918.31 was released for 2020-21, ₹4,170 for 2021-22, ₹8,189.54 for 2022-23 and ₹2,500 each for 2023-24 and 2024-25. However, the reply said that the J&K administration has only spent ₹12,967.869 lakh (₹129.678 crore) for the construction of bunkers for civilians -- ₹4,881.108 lakh in 2020-21, ₹3,318.548 lakh in 2021-22, ₹2,275.313 lakh in 2022-23, ₹846.64 lakh in 2023-24, and ₹1,646.26 lakh in 2024-25. A total of 27 people, mostly civilians, lost their lives and 70 were injured in intense Pakistani shelling and drone attacks on forward villages in Jammu and Kashmir after Indian armed forces launched missile strikes on terror infrastructure across the border during the intervening night of May 6 and 7 under Operation Sindoor to avenge the April 22 Pahalgam attack that left 25 tourists and a local service provider dead. Poonch and Rajouri accounted for most of the civilian casualties, prompting requests for the construction of more safety bunkers along the borders. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the shelling-hit areas in both Jammu and Kashmir divisions within two days after India and Pakistan reached an understanding to halt military actions with immediate effect on May 10. He asserted that his government will formulate a policy to build individual bunkers for the people. "Community bunkers had been built, but they were not used for so long. No new bunker has come up in many years. Wherever I went, people said we should build individual bunkers," he said. "The government will frame a policy on that, and a scheme will be formulated for the people in these areas which are closer to the LoC and the border, and that would then be taken up with the central government," he added. He said the community bunkers are a lifeline during moments of crisis. "We will ensure the construction of more such safer spaces to protect and support our people living in border areas," he said.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Nearly half of ₹243 crore bunker funds in J&K lie unused, RTI reveals alarming gaps
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has not utilised nearly half of the central funds allocated for building underground bunkers for border residents over the last five years, according to information obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) application. The revelation comes amid heightened calls for civilian safety, following last month's Operation Sindoor and the intense cross-border shelling. Responding to the Right To Information application filed by Jammu-based activist Raman Kumar, the Jammu and Kashmir Home Department said, an amount of Rs 242.77 crore was given to the Union Territory administration headed by the Lt Governor between 2020-21 and 2024-25. However, 46.58 per cent of the money remains unspent. It said Rajouri district accounted for the highest utilisation of funds to the tune of Rs 78.05 crore followed by Poonch (Rs 44.56 crore), Samba (Rs 42.09 crore), Kathua (37.20 crore), Jammu (17.51 crore), Kupwara (Rs 14.85 crore), Bandipora (Rs 4.33 crore) and Baramulla (Rs 4.15 crore). India shares a 3,323-km border with Pakistan, of which 221 km of the International Border (IB) and 744 km of the Line of Control (LoC) fall in Jammu and Kashmir. Live Events On February 25, 2021, India and Pakistan announced the implementation of a renewed ceasefire along the borders of Jammu and Kashmir, which came as a major relief to the people living along the IB and the LoC. India and Pakistan had initially signed a ceasefire agreement in 2003, but Pakistan frequently violated the agreement, with more than 5,000 violations reported in 2020 -- the highest in a single year. The Centre initially sanctioned the construction of 14,460 individual and community bunkers for Rs 415.73 crore for border residents facing Pakistani shelling along the LoC and the IB in 2018-19. While 7,298 bunkers were sanctioned for the population along the LoC in the twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri, 7,162 underground bunkers got approved for villages along the IB in Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts. Later, the government sanctioned more than 4,000 bunkers to cover a more vulnerable population, including the areas falling in the north Kashmir districts of Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara. According to Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary Atal Dulloo, so far, 9,500 bunkers have been set up along the India-Pakistan border in the Union Territory. The bunkers proved to be a lifesaver for the border residents during the intense Pakistani shelling last month, minimising human loss, even as massive damage was caused to residential houses, besides the loss of livestock. Sharing the reply of the Home Department with PTI here, Kumar expressed surprise over the non-utilisation of funds during the relatively peaceful years along the borders. "Only 53.42 per cent of the funds were utilised between 2020-21 and 2024-25," he said. The Home Department said, "Total funds amounting to Rs 24,277.85 lakh (Rs 242.778 crore) have been given by the government of India to the government of Jammu and Kashmir through the Finance Department J&K during the financial year 2020-21 till date for construction of bunkers for civilians in border districts of Jammu and Kashmir." It said, an amount of Rs 6,918.31 was released for 2020-21, Rs 4,170 for 2021-22, Rs 8,189.54 for 2022-23 and Rs 2,500 each for 2023-24 and 2024-25. However, the reply said that the J&K administration has only spent Rs 12,967.869 lakh (Rs 129.678 crore) for the construction of bunkers for civilians -- Rs 4,881.108 lakh in 2020-21, Rs 3,318.548 lakh in 2021-22, Rs 2,275.313 lakh in 2022-23, Rs 846.64 lakh in 2023-24, and Rs 1,646.26 lakh in 2024-25. A total of 27 people, mostly civilians, lost their lives and 70 were injured in intense Pakistani shelling and drone attacks on forward villages in Jammu and Kashmir after Indian armed forces launched missile strikes on terror infrastructure across the border during the intervening night of May 6 and 7 under Operation Sindoor to avenge the April 22 Pahalgam attack that left 25 tourists and a local service provider dead. Poonch and Rajouri accounted for most of the civilian casualties, prompting requests for the construction of more safety bunkers along the borders. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the shelling-hit areas in both Jammu and Kashmir divisions within two days after India and Pakistan reached an understanding to halt military actions with immediate effect on May 10. He asserted that his government will formulate a policy to build individual bunkers for the people. "Community bunkers had been built, but they were not used for so long. No new bunker has come up in many years. Wherever I went, people said we should build individual bunkers," he said. "The government will frame a policy on that, and a scheme will be formulated for the people in these areas which are closer to the LoC and the border, and that would then be taken up with the central government," he added. He said the community bunkers are a lifeline during moments of crisis. "We will ensure the construction of more such safer spaces to protect and support our people living in border areas," he said.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
India Needs 15,000 Family Doctors a Year by 2030 — But Has No Training Capacity to Match
New Delhi: A first-of-its-kind national survey has revealed a glaring mismatch between India's primary healthcare needs and its capacity to train family physicians. While 39.3 per cent of India's family doctors serve in rural areas, the country lacks the training infrastructure to meet the estimated need of 15,000 new family physicians annually by 2030, according to a Planning Commission projection. The survey, conducted across 28 states and union territories, collected responses from 272 family physicians, offering a rare glimpse into the scale, scope, and struggles of India's frontline generalists. Key Findings at a Glance: --48.3 per cent work in primary care, countering the myth that family physicians prefer urban or tertiary settings. --68.9 per cent are involved in hospital inpatient care, and 56.3 per cent provide emergency services. --66.2 per cent make home visits, and 62.0 per cent offer palliative care. --44.7 per cent of respondents were women, reflecting a gradual shift in gender representation. The data underscores the wide-ranging responsibilities family physicians undertake—from outpatient consultations to minor surgeries and childbirth—yet remain a chronically under-recognized and under-resourced workforce. 'This data paints a clear picture—family physicians are delivering essential, community-based care. Yet, training opportunities and structured job pathways remain severely lacking,' said Dr. Raman Kumar, Founding President of the Academy of Family Physicians of India (AFPI). Despite family medicine being mandated under the National Medical Commission Act 2019, implementation has been slow and inconsistent. The survey calls for urgent reforms, including: expansion of MD/DNB seats in family medicine, integration of family physicians into both public and private health systems and official recognition of family medicine as a core specialty across teaching hospitals 'The clinical reach and diversity of this workforce is immense. This is actionable data that must guide strategic investment in primary care,' said Dr. Archna Gupta, Clinician Scientist at St. Michael's Hospital, Canada. 'To build a resilient healthcare system, family medicine must become a respected, viable career path for medical graduates,' added Dr. Ramakrishna Prasad, Chair, AFPI's National Centre for Primary Care Research. The release coincides with National Doctors' Day 2025 , themed 'Behind the Mask: Caring for Caregivers', placing renewed focus on the country's most overlooked healthcare professionals—its family physicians. Though long advocated in national policy frameworks—from the National Health Policy 2002 to the NRHM Human Resources Taskforce—family medicine remains under-implemented. The survey serves as a data-backed call to action: Investing in family medicine is not optional—it's essential for achieving universal health coverage and reducing India's persistent rural-urban healthcare divide.
