Deccan Herald 04.12.2013
MCC to seek State funds to complete JnNURM works
In a move that suggests serious concerns about
the financial health of Mysore City Corporation (MCC), the civic body
decided to approach the Chief Minister for funds to complete several
pending works under Jawaharal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM). The
decision was taken at a council meeting held, here, on Tuesday.
The
proposal was made following the guidelines by the Union Ministry of
Urban Development, that no additional funds will be released for the
completion of the first phase works under JnNURM. Officials admitted
that there is a serious fund crunch, with the MCC requiring an
additional Rs 189 crore for completion of works, especially the
controversial 24×7 water supply scheme. The proposal will be made during
the Chief Minister’s review meeting, scheduled to be held on December
13.
Earlier, during the meeting, corporators raised objections
about the Detailed Project Report of 24×7 water scheme and blamed
Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Board (KUWSDB) for
under-estimating the cost of the project.
“Rs 20 lakh was paid to
KUWSDB to conduct a survey about the required pipeline length and to
ascertain the number of connections.
requirements of the city is now affecting MCC. Therefore, KUWSDB must be
held responsible and made to pay the additional funds required to
complete 24×7 water project in the city,” corporator Sandesh Swamy said.
Mayor
N M Rajeshwari said, in case the Chief Minister declines to sanction
the funds, the MCC will take measures to make KUWSDB pay for the
shortage of funds, owing to gross under-estimation of the required cost
of the project.
Voices were raised against seeking the required
funds as ‘loan’ from the government. Responding to the objections of
corporators, MCC Commissioner P G Ramesh clarified that no loans were
sought from the State government, but only funds to complete projects.
