The Times of India 03.08.2013
Civic body to raise Rs 400 cr for Kumbh works on its own
NASHIK: The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has decided to raise Rs 400 crore for the upcoming Kumbhmela on its own after receiving instructions from the high-power committee (HPC) of the state government recently in this regard.
On July 19, the HPC headed by chief secretary of the state Jayantkumar Banthiya had approved funds worth Rs 2,297 crore for all the government departments, including Rs 1,039.91 crore for NMC, for carrying out various works. Accordingly, Banthiya had instructed the NMC to share some amount from its own funds.
Speaking to TOI, divisional revenue commissioner (Nashik division) Ravindra Jadhav, who was present at the HPC meeting, said, "Some Kumbh-related works are to be carried out by the concerned departments on their own. Accordingly, a separate provision of Rs 181 crore has been made in the budget for the four-laning of the Nashik-Trimbakeshar Road, the work for which is expected to begin shortly. Other departments have also been instructed to make provision for some works. Accordingly, Banthiya also asked the NMC to raise funds on their own to some extent. Municipal commissioner Sanjay Khandare has also agreed to raise funds close to Rs 400 crore."
"During the last Kumbh mela held in 2003-04, the NMC had raised Rs 100 crore on its own, while the central and the state governments had given funds worth Rs 100 crore and Rs 75 crore respectively. The Kumbh works worth Rs 61.58 crore were accomplished under the Godavari Action Plan of the central government," he said.
A senior civic body official said on the condition of anonymity, "The Kumbh plan of Rs 1,039.91 crore has been approved in principle by the HPC. We have yet to receive the funds from the state government. We have still not decided how much funds we will raise on our own, but we have already undertaken Kumbh-related works worth Rs 330 crore, which are to be completed by construction firms through deferred payment. The tender in this connection has already been floated and actual works will commence once the monsoon is over."
The Rs 2,297-crore Kumbh plan also includes Rs 654.21 crore for public works department, Rs 80.76 crore for water resources department and Rs 25.75 crore for the Railways. The proposal is to be presented to the chief minister-led apex committee of the state government for approval soon.
