AMC lacks funds for tackling second wave of covid

Aurangabad, Nov 24:

For the eight months, the municipal administration has not received any funding from the government for corona preventive measures. In March, Rs 17 crore were given to Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) for Covid. Since then, the corporation has not received a single rupee. Likewise, bills worth Rs 32 crore are pending.

Municipal administrator Astik Kumar Pandey gave detailed information regarding corona measures on Tuesday. Pandey said, "The administration conducted corona tests on 3 lakh citizens from which 26,000 citizens have tested positive so far. They were successfully treated. All facilities were provided to the citizens treated at the Covid Care Center (CCC). AMC has spent crores of rupees on various covid measures so far." According to officials, the contractors are not ready to work for the second covid wave as the previous bills are pending. The municipal administration is now waiting for the government to sanction funds to the battle second wave of covid-19.

Bills worth crores of rupees pending

Various bills are pending with the AMC that include, Ambulance bill of Rs 3 crore, Rs 1 crore electricity bills to CCC, Rs 3 crore to caterers appointed to provide meals to patients at CCC and quarantine centres. A bill of Rs 7 crore for antigen kits, Rs 3 crore for other medical equipment and medicines is pending. According to sources, the corporation also has spending limits. Therefore, it is necessary to get funding from the District Planning Committee (DPC) and the state disaster management department. Contractors can be paid if funds are received from the government.

Only Rs 17 crore

So far only Rs 17 crore has been received by the AMC in March. This includes Rs 12 crore from the disaster management and Rs 5 crore from the DPC. The AMC has given a new proposal of Rs 32 crore and Rs 1 crore for the oxygen plant. Now the district collector has shown readiness to provide the funds.