Delay in transferring Rs 187 crore to MJP likely to affect new water supply scheme!

Aurangabad, Dec 14:

The new water supply project valuing Rs 1680 crore is moving at a snail's pace as the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) failed to transfer funds of Rs 187 crore to Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP) as per the state government's order issued one month ago. It may be noted that the AMC has a deposit of crores of rupees funds released by the then Central and the State Government to implement the yesteryears ambitious parallel pipeline project between Jayakwadi and Kanchanwadi.

The state government has approved the new water supply scheme but had not granted any funds for its implementation. The total cost of the new water scheme is Rs 1680 crore. Of which, the state government will contribute 70 per cent

(Rs 1,176 crore) and the remaining 30 pc (Rs 506 crore) will be the contribution of AMC. The MJP is implementing the project.

The first phase works of valuing Rs 1308 crore are underway. The MJP demanded funds from the state government. In response to this, the state-directed the AMC to transfer the money. Hence the AMC transferred Rs 17.23 crore into the account of MJP. Later on, the MJP again knocked on the doors of the state government for Rs 187 crore funds. The state government again ordered the AMC to transfer the money by November 9. However, the AMC has failed to transfer the money even after the passing of one month. Henceforth the execution of waterworks has been slowed down, it is learnt.

Earlier, the AMC paid Rs 50 crore to Aurangabad City Water Utility Company Limited (ACWUCL) from the funds released to it for the parallel pipeline project. Later on, it released Rs 17.23 crore to MJP from the same deposit. Now, the process to transfer Rs 187 crore is underway. Lastly, the civic body would have Rs 60 crore as a balance in its account. Hence the financial worry of AMC is apparent as it is thinking about what to do after the balance money also gets exhausted. Why the state government is not acting liberal in granting the funds is a question arising to all?