NEW DELHI: With less than a year to go to the Commonwealth Games, government agencies are waking up to a fund crunch for all the infrastructural needs of the city. The latest to join the chorus for more funds is the Delhi Jal Board, which claims it needs a further Rs 600 crore to fund its Games-related projects. A high-level meeting was held some days ago between senior government officials, including the chief minister, and the top brass of the DJB. Speaking to TOI, DJB CEO Ramesh Negi admitted that the agency had asked for Rs 600 crore to finish ongoing projects. "Earlier this year, we had asked for Rs 2,300 crore for all the projects, but were sanctioned only Rs 1,400 crore by the government. These additional funds are needed for ongoing projects for this financial year.'' Sources in the government, however, said that the demand by the DJB could pose a problem, especially as there's a fund crunch. While the government itself has gone to the Centre for additional funds for the Games, other agencies have in turn applied to the Delhi government for more financial help. The poor collections in revenue according to Delhi government figures, the government is short of revenue collection by almost 50% as well as the effect of the recession are some of the reasons cited for the government's inability to extend required funds to the agencies. This is primarily due to the fall in collection of luxury tax, levied on hotels and restaurants, and stamp duty on the sale and purchase of property, added sources. Incidentally, the MCD and PWD have also asked for fudns from the Delhi government. The various works for which the DJB is seeking funds include projects like the Okhla and Dwarka treatment plants, sewer lines rehabilitation work, parts of the Munak canal, and several others.
POSTED BY: PALLAVI SINGH
PGDM III SEM
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