The Hindu 09.06.2010
Centre asked to release JNNURM funds
Staff Reporter
| State awaiting funds up to Rs.1,000 crores |
VIJAYAWADA: K. Subba Raju, former MLA and general secretary of AP Former Legislators Forum, has demanded that the Central Government immediately release crores necessary for carrying out and completing works taken up under the much-publicised Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) in various cities including Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) in the State.
“Though much is being said about the JNNURM programmes, its works are going at a snail's pace because of lack of funds. The State is awaiting funds to the tune of Rs. 1,000 crores from the Centre to complete these works in various cities,” said Mr. Subba Raju. The fate of works in Vijayawada was no different with their progress getting badly hit due to non-release of funds by the Centre under some pretext or other, he added.
Mr. Subba Raju deplored that the State and respective cities had collected necessary funds under almost all heads in the name of reforms at the behest of the Centre, but the same was not reflected in the carrying out of related works in the field level. Mr. Raju submitted a memorandum to this effect to Union Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy during his recent visit to the national capital. Stating that lots of funds were being collected from the public on a large scale, Mr. Subba Raju deplored that the Centre did not take this into consideration and went to the extent of citing alleged failure on the part of the respective cities to show progress in JNNURM works for its (Centre) non-release of funds. The 23 reform items cited as conditions for the States by the Centre included collection of cent per cent taxes, 100 per cent recovery in solid waste management works and also in drinking water lines, collection of land conversion charges .
Mr. Subba Raju demanded that the Centre should release the grant arrears to the tune of Rs. 1,000 crores under JNNURM works immediately to Andhra Pradesh so that the respective cities would be able to show some real progress in works. He also wanted the United Progressive Alliance Government to remove the draconian conditions laid down in the name of reforms to enable respective cities to become eligible for JNNURM works.
