Fiscal nearing end, Chandigarh MC yet to get funds from Administration

Sandeep Rana
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, March 25

With less than a week for the financial year to end, the UT Administration is yet to release Rs75 crore under the revised Budget to the MC. The delay has hit several development works.

The MC had received Rs425 crore under the 2020-21 Budget. However, it was assured of Rs75 crore more under the revised Budget, but till today, the civic body has not received any funds.

Of the pending amount, Rs50 crore is for the development of villages and Rs25 crore for other civic works.

“Due to the delay in the release of the funds, we could not start the works till now,” said an MC official.

A few days after assuming the charge, Mayor Ravi Kant Sharma had claimed that the Administration had given in-principle approval for the funds.

“Whatever funds the corporation is getting are being used pay salaries and meet establishment cost. However, we don’t have adequate funds for the development of the city. The MC should either review its expenditure or fetch more funds from the Centre. Otherwise, the city will continue to suffer,” said Ravi Kumar, a resident of Sector 52.

Councillor Satish Kainth said: “I have given details of several works that need to be carried out, but nothing has been executed. Funds remain only a promise on papers.”

Meanwhile, the Mayor claimed: “The Administration has approved the funds. In a day or two, we will get the funds. We can use these even after March 31 as tenders for various works are already in progress.”