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Financial Management

Centre asked to release JNNURM funds

Wednesday, 09 June 2010 04:48 administrator
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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.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 09 June 2010 04:52
 

NMC budget to be tabled on Saturday

Friday, 28 May 2010 09:51 administrator
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The Times of India     28.05.2010

NMC budget to be tabled on Saturday

TNN, May 28, 2010, 07.06am IST
 
NAGPUR: Chairman of Nagpur Municipal Corporation standing committee Sandeep Joshi will table civic body’s budget for financial year 2010-11 in the general body meeting scheduled at Town Hall on May 29.

A senior NMC official informed that as per the City of Nagpur Corporation (CNC) Act, 1948, the civic budget should be presented in March. However, this year, like last year it was delayed by almost two months.

The then municipal commissioner Aseem Gupta had presented his budget proposals with an outlay of Rs 824.55 crore. However, as per usual practice Joshi is likely to inflate it to Rs 900 crore. Gupta had proposed various novel schemes like 10% rebate on property tax for environment-friendly homes, foot overbridges at busy junctions. Pay and park facilities at spare lands in layouts. He had proposed to set up separate finance department for each zone and provide necessary staff.

An amount of Rs 87.60 crore was set aside for zonal committees. Other schemes proposed by Gupta include providing Icards to BPL persons, benefits to the handicapped and more facilities to NMC school students, upgradation of healthcare system,creation of hawking zones, upgradation of Phule Market, etc. Joshi, for the first time in history of corporation, had invited suggestions from several organisations representing trade, environmental groups, sports, and even senior citizens while making budget proposals.

“Based on recommendations from these organisations, we prepared a budget and presented it before the house on May 29,” Joshi informed.
 

VMC finds going tough

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 06:36 administrator
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The Hindu      26.05.2010

VMC finds going tough

Staff reporter

VIJAYAWADA: The collection of property tax dues from State government and State government undertaking offices located in the city seems to have become a Herculean task for Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC).

There are about 35 State government offices, including five State government undertaking offices in the city. The corporation has to collect Rs. 29 crores, including Rs. 20 crores from various Central Government offices.

The revenue wing of the corporation has begun compiling the list of non-payers in the city. The total outstanding dues would be nearly Rs. 10 crores. Of this, Rs. 9 crores alone would be from State government departments, institutions and offices, while rest would be from State government undertakings like agricultural, MFS department and state excise, sources say.

While organisations like sub jails are stated to be paying the property tax promptly, the departments like police have to pay more than Rs.1 crore till date. The government Ayurvedic College has to pay more than Rs. 1.5 crore, while ITI College has to pay Rs. 60 lakhs. Likewise, the dues from the Government Polytechnic College are estimated to be more than Rs. 1.5 crore. The Music College, RTA, Social Welfare Department, Zilla Parishad, Roads and Buildings are some of the departments, which have to pay the tax, sources say.

The VGTM UDA has to pay nearly Rs. 50 lakhs, while the property tax to be paid by the city civil courts buildings is to the tune of Rs. 2.3 crores. The Irrigation Department is due to pay Rs. 39 lakhs. It, however, recently dashed off a letter saying the corporation has to pay user charges for drawing water from the Krishna, sources say.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 26 May 2010 06:37
 
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