Jammu, September 15: The Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) initiative was conceptualized to utilize the availability of quality infrastructure for the public welfare through private entrepreneurs to achieve broadcasted and inclusive growth on a sustained basis.
However the much touted PPP has not only been marginalized but also ignored by the powers that be in the state of Jammu and Kashmir till now due to red tape and ‘babudom’, political indecisiveness and corruption thus killing the very spirit of the PPP which otherwise has been recognized globally for turning around the developmental aspirations of the nations.
In the overview of the PPP the ministry of Finance Government of India states that, “Given the enormity of the investment requirements and the limited availability of public resources for investment in physical infrastructure, it is imperative to explore avenues for increasing investment in infrastructure through a combination of public investment, Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and occasionally, exclusive private investment wherever feasible. The use of PPP an as instrument of procurement for creation of infrastructure assets and delivery of public services has been recognized globally. Apart from bridging the deficit in financing of public projects, PPPs also brings new and cost effective technology for creation of infrastructure assets, managerial efficiency, competency for operation and maintenance of the created assets and the contractual accountability on the private party to ensure timely and quality infrastructure service to the end users”.
Back home the ever lethargic successive governments in Jammu and Kashmir have not recognized the viability of this project which is evident from the fact that the private partnership in various sectors has not been utilized to the fullest to reap the dividends that these three Ps have shown world over.
With past dark clouds there however seems a silver lining with the new dispensation headed by Mufti Mohammed Sayeed as it seems that the Chief Minister knows the viability of the PPP to take development forward and has said on numerous occasions that the government would encourage private investment in public utilities so that the state is not over burdened by the massive developmental works that it intends to undertake in the next six years of its rule.
What this government needs to do is to shun the bureaucratic and political lethargy that it inherited from its predecessor where the PPP was crushed discouraging the private sector to come forward and help the government in furthering its developmental issues.
The PPP is a successful concept all over the globe and it can do wonders if implemented sincerely in the state of Jammu and Kashmir where many sectors need private investment to compliment the government initiatives to provide good life to its citizens.
The chief minister has stressed for the need to involve private sector in tourism infrastructure building, education, Industry and other sectors where the government can work better in coordination with the private sector with the common man being the ultimate beneficiary.
The onus lies with the state government to give the PPP a new impetus and take the developmental works to greater heights by utilizing the vast potential of private players in a better way. (To be continued)