Ludhiana: Always quick to cite paucity of funds for its inability to carry out development works in the city, the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation has been unable to utilize all the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) funds, thus keeping several important projects in the process. .The Government of India has asked the civic officials to explain the reasons for not using the funds fully. Officials claimed that the delay in awarding tenders and executing projects slowed down the use of funds, but most of the selected works have already been allocated and will be completed soon. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission, MC officials have completed the purchase of 350 e-rickshaws, ditching machines, shredder for horticultural waste, backhoe for construction and demolition waste and horticulture waste equipped with GPS. But important projects like installing GPS in e-rickshaws; construction of a C&D waste plant, Waste to Wonder Park and centralized MRF plants; purchase of sanitary waste incinerators, 54 portable compactors and 18 hook loaders, mechanized vehicles are hanging fire. According to sources, while Rs 60 crore (approx) has been received under the mission in 2023, around 30% of the money could be used so far. officials claimed that work orders have already been issued for all types of works except the MRF plant, the detailed project report of which is being prepared. MC commissioner Sandeep Rishi admitted that they could not use the funds properly, but that was the case before he took over. He said he has asked the officials concerned to increase the pace of the works and complete them as soon as possible. He said: “The government is willing to give more funds, but how can we ask for more unless we use the money we already have available. We don’t want to waste public funds, so we will spend money only on important projects.” He said , further that the process of awarding tenders is tedious and companies do not come forward in the first attempt.He stated that if the authorities want to speed up the use of the funds, the agencies executing the work will also they have to decide at the government level, to avoid wasting time.
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