The Indian Express 17.08.2013
CP redevelopment fund to finance NDMC’s France trip
New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) officials will soon travel to
Paris, the capital of France, on public money. The reason — they were
invited to the city by its Mayor, for the ‘urban re-generation’ of Place
de la Republique.
Three NDMC officials have been granted permission to visit Paris,
after the trip was approved by the chairperson. Steps have been taken
to fund the trip from the Connaught Place redevelopment fund.
“Written instructions have been given to charge the expenditure
from the head of Connaught Place redevelopment project and officials
have been asked to work this out. The expenditure will be borne under
the CP project and three officials will go to Paris by next month after
obtaining the necessary permissions from all the government agencies,” a
senior Estate department official said.
Initial cost of the project was Rs 76 crore, which has increased
nine-fold. CAG had blamed NDMC’s poor planning as the estimated cost
soared to Rs 671 crore. The project cost was later slashed by Rs 200
crore. Despite the cost escalation, approvals have been sought to add
expenses incurred in the Paris trip to the redevelopment project.
“Three officials will visit Paris. They could not seek permission
to go to Paris on dates they were invited but now this has been
processed and approvals sought. However, expenditure head is yet to be
decided,” NDMC Secretary Vikas Anand said.
The officials involved in CP project have been called to discuss technology sharing between the two countries.
Newsline had reported that NDMC, which drew flak for the delay in
CP’s revamp, was invited to Paris for talks on preserving heritage and
architecture.
