Chandigarh Administration in no mood to give full grant-in-aid to MC
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 5
In what seems to be a blow to the cash-starved Municipal Corporation (MC), the Chandigarh Administration is in no mood to give any relaxation in cut in Rs425 crore grant-in-aid (GIA) due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
‘Own funds inadequate’
Reacting on recent letter shot off by Municipal Commissioner KK Yadav requesting for not deducting the grant, a senior UT officer said, “Cut will be there since our own funds are inadequate due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Reacting on recent letter shot off by Municipal Commissioner KK Yadav requesting for not deducting the grant, a senior UT officer told Chandigarh Tribune, “Cut will be there since our own funds are inadequate due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
The corporation recently wrote to the Administration to release its full GIA of Rs425 crore, which the UT deducted a few months ago.
The civic body has been facing an acute fund crunch over the last few years, but on its part failed to do much other than just raising taxes.
The MC failed to dispose of its vacant booths and could not curtail its wasteful expenditure. The MC has been asking for funds from the Administration, but all in vain.
However, due to its added responsibilities during the Covid times, it needs more funds, which has been highlighted in a letter to the Secretary, Local Government i.e. UT Home Secretary. It has been pointed out that more funds are required for the sanitation of quarantine areas, additional manpower, machinery, purchasing PPE kits and sanitisers.
The civic body has committed an expenditure of about Rs 60 crore each month. The unavoidable expenditure includes salaries, pension, electricity, water bills, maintenance and other costs.
