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Water authority seeks Rs 100cr financial aid from state govt

Wednesday, 08 January 2014 12:10 administrator
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The Times of India          08.01.2014

Water authority seeks Rs 100cr financial aid from state govt

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Reeling under financial crisis, the Kerala water authority (KWA) has sought a monetary aid of Rs 100 crore from the state government.

In a letter to the additional chief secretary of water resources department, KWA managing director Ashok Kumar Singh sought Rs 50 crore for giving pension arrears and another Rs 50 crore to be paid to contractors who undertook KWA 's maintenance works.

The water authority has to pay Rs 64 crore to various contractors. "As the payment is pending, contractors are showing reluctance to take up new works. This will gravely affect the water supply projects in the coming days," the letter said.

KWA had received Rs 198.65 crore as non-plan grant in the financial year 2013-14. However, around Rs 40 crore had to be paid to the KSEB towards pending electricity charges. After meeting other expenses, the water authority now has only Rs 20.24 crore remaining for the next four months.

While the revenue generated by the KWA from water tariff is Rs 23.50 crore, monthly electricity charges comes upto Rs 20 crore. It requires Rs 37 crore to pay salaries, pensions and to run office. Maintenance costs for various water supply projects, instalments of loans etc also comes to a considerable amount due to which it is forced to use a major portion of the non-plan grant for running the department. Pension arrear is another major concern. Rs 50 crore is pending since 2009.

The KWA's proposal for a 100 % hike in water tariff was recently shelved by the state government. Earlier in June last year, it had submitted a proposal to allot Rs 75 crore as financial assistance. However, the government has not allotted the fund.

Meanwhile, the KWA pensioner's organization has decided to stage a dharna in front of the Jalabhavan on Thursday, demanding immediate disbursal of pension arrears pending since 2009. Former water resources minister N K Premachandran will inaugurate the protest.

 

Govt Cancels Order Merging 36 Panchayats with GHMC

Wednesday, 08 January 2014 07:46 administrator
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The New Indian Express              08.01.2014

Govt Cancels Order Merging 36 Panchayats with GHMC

The state government has cancelled three orders issued by the municipal administration and urban development (MAUD) department relating to the merger of 36 gram panchayats with Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).

The state government examined the matter keeping in view the observations of the High Court where they found that lapses have taken place in respect of the 36 gram panchayats and it has therefore been decided to take up further action as deemed fit in respect of the above gram panchayats in terms of the AP Gram Panchayats (Declaration of Villages) Rules 2007 duly cancelling the notifications issued on merger of gram panchayats.

The gram panchayats that were merged into the limits of GHMC -- Gandipet, Narsingi, Manchirevula, Kokapet, Vattinagulapalli, Bandlaguda Jagir, Neknampur, Kismatpur, Puppalguda, Himayathsagar, Khanapur, Peeramcheruvu, Hydershakot in Rajendranagar mandal; Jawaharnagar in Shamirpet mandal; Shamshabad, Satamrai and Kothwalguda in Shamshabad mandal; Pragathinagar, Bachupally, Kompally, Dulapally and Nizampet in Qutbullapur mandal; Boduppal, Medipally, Peerzadiguda, Parvathapur, Chengicherla in Ghatkesar mandal; Nagaram and Dammaiguda in Keesara mandal; Gundla Pochampally in Medchal mandal; Jillelaguda, Meerpet, Phadishareef, Jalpally and Kothapeta in Saroornagar mandal and Kalwancha H/o Kuntlur in Hayatnagar mandal,

It may be mentioned here that High Court in its orders dated September 26 last year have passed interim suspension orders on the above gram panchayats on the ground that rule 12 (2) of the AP Gram Panchayats (Declaration of Villages) Rules, 2007 have not been followed while merging gram panchayats with the GHMC by the PR&RD department.

 

Govt. cancels merger of 36 villages with GHMC

Wednesday, 08 January 2014 04:14 administrator
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The Hindu              08.01.2014

Govt. cancels merger of 36 villages with GHMC

Special Correspondent

The government on Tuesday issued orders cancelling its earlier notification on merger of 36 surrounding villages into the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) following the A.P. High Court orders.

The Municipal Administration & Urban Development (MA&UD) Department had notified the merger of these villages spread out in the mandals of Rajendranagar, Shamirpet, Shamshabad, Qutbullahpur, Ghatkesar, Keesara, Medchal, Saroornagar and Hayathnagar.

The orders issued today cited the High Court orders which passed interim suspension orders on grounds that rule 12 (2) of A.P. Gram Panchayats (Declaration of villages) Rules, 2007 was not followed while merging gram panchayats into the GHMC.

Vehement opposition

The move to merge 36 gram panchayats was earlier vehemently opposed by the GHMC corporators and the GHMC Council which met in July last year and had unanimously passed a resolution rejecting the proposal.

The corporators observed that the GHMC which so far failed to ensure development of surrounding municipalities that merged few years ago, would not be able to handle the addition of new gram panchayats to its fold now.

During the debate then, MIM floor leader Mohammad Nazeeruddin had pointed out that the gram panchayats were primarily agriculture lands providing fresh vegetables and pulses to the city. “If the merger happens, then roads, layouts and plots will wipe out the agricultural assets which will be a huge loss for all,” he had said.

Corporators also stressed that the GHMC lacked funds and manpower to handle the expansion of its jurisdiction and that the move would not only hamper development in existing areas but result in neglect of new areas.

Reacting to today’s cancellation order, TDP floor leader Singireddy Srinivas Reddy welcomed it.

 
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