The Indian Express              20.06.2013

Audit dept raps GLADA for ‘wasting’ Rs 44 lakh on LED streetlights

The base on which pillars will be erected to install LED streetlights, along with the Ferozepur road in Ludhiana

The LED streetlights meant for the beautification of the city has actually been revealed to have burnt a hole in the pocket of the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA).

GLADA had purchased 548 LED streetlights from M/S Phillips, Electronics India, Gurgaon at a rate of Rs 8,190 each, taking the total amount to Rs 44,88,120.

According to the audit report (a copy of which is with Newsline) by the Indian Audit and Accounts Department, Chandigarh, dated April 5 this year, which has been accessed by the Council of RTI Activists, Ludhiana, the department has slammed GLADA for 'blockade of funds to the extent of Rs 44.88 lakh for more than one year and also loss of interest to the tune of Rs 2,24,406 to GLADA (simple interest at rate of 5%).'

The audit report has also questioned GLADA on why the material could not be utilized so far for the work it was purchased.

The lights were received by GLADA on Jan 22, 2012 and payment was made to the supplier firm on February 14, 2012. Half of the warranty period for these lights, for which GLADA was given a warranty period of three years since Jan 22, 2012, had already ended while they lay in the store room of the GLADA office.

The audit department has rapped GLADA, demanding that 'the person responsible for untimely purchase without assessing the requirement and non completion of work on time' be intimated to the audit.

The lights were to be installed on the stretch of Ferozepur road from Sidhwan Canal bridge till the Municipal limits, the six laning for which is still on and work is lying incomplete.

However, the poles on which lights have to be perched can be seen installed on the stretch.

The Indian Express              20.06.2013

LBT deals a blow to PMC, revenue dips

LBT is not matching the revenue octroi had yielded. With LBT from traders falling way short of the octroi collection of around Rs 100 crore a month, the civic administration is looking at LBT from property deals to enhance revenues.

"Revenue from LBT has been low compared to the expectation that collection will be equivalent to octroi. Octroi collection was over Rs 100 crore per month. The situation is grave now. We have to be cautious while spending civic money," said PMC chief accountant Ulka Kalaskar.

She said that all civic departments have felt the impact of LBT and they are cooperating in financial management by taking appropriate steps to control expenditure.

No major project has been started this year so far, Kalaskar said. But there are big projects that are on and will continue. "To overcome a possible shortfall in LBT, the department concerned has been asked to get LBT collected by the state registration office from property dealings. The amount of Rs 48 crore is quite big and would help PMC overcome a possible shortage," she added.

Joint Municipal Commissioner Vilas Kanade said poor LBT collection is a big concern for civic administration.

"We will begin action against traders not registering under LBT. The civic administration is fully prepared for taking up the exercise and will initiate action as per law," he said.

The civic staff will physically verify documents of each trader, Kanade said adding that the exact number of traders coming under LBT will be clear after the administration completes physical verification of documents.