CSMC set to squander crores of rupees

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

Despite the municipal corporation’s fragile financial condition and earlier announcements that only essential works would be prioritised, proposals involving expenditure of nearly Rs 3.5 crore have been placed by the administration itself before the standing committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday. These include Rs 40 lakh for purchasing sports equipment for school students, Rs 36 lakh for traffic signal maintenance, Rs 1.51 crore for maintenance of 14 fountains in the city, and Rs 49 lakh for repairs to animal enclosures at Siddharth Garden.

The corporation has already taken a loan of Rs 822 crore for a new Rs 2,740 crore water supply scheme, with repayments set to begin next year. Besides, it will have to contribute around Rs 230 crore towards an Rs 800 crore drainage line project. Earlier, a loan of Rs 250 crore was taken for the Smart City project. With a total debt burden of nearly Rs 1,600 crore, the administration is now being criticised for indulging in excessive spending.

A proposal has been tabled to purchase sports equipment for students in 50 civic schools. Notably, tenders have been submitted by three vendors, Richa Sports, Shree Sports, and Mahakaleshwar Sports, for 102 types of equipment. Surprisingly, in all 102 items, the rates quoted by Richa Sports and Shree Sports are higher than those of Mahakaleshwar Sports, raising serious questions.

Tenders have also been invited for maintenance and repair of traffic signals across Zones 1 to 5, with an annual cost of Rs 36.87 lakh covering only half of the city’s signals. Another proposal seeks approval for Rs 29.16 lakh spent during the COVID-19 period on tents, sheets, plastic chairs, tables, water jars, and refreshments supplied by Gajanan Vidhate. Questions are being raised as to why this proposal is being brought up now after such a long delay.

How much would new fountains cost?

The municipal corporation has installed fountains at 14 locations in the city. A proposal seeking approval of Rs 1.51 crore for their maintenance and repair over three years has been placed before the standing committee. If maintenance alone costs this much, questions are being asked about the cost of installing new fountains.

Meanwhile, efforts are underway to shift the zoo from Siddharth Garden to the Zoological Park at Mitmita. The administration has also placed a proposal for approval of Rs 49 lakh for repairing animal cages at the zoo.