For next fiscal, UT admin seeks 30% more funds from Centre

In the current fiscal, the Centre had sanctioned Rs 3,831 crore (Rs 860 under plan and Rs 2,971 crore under non plan) against the demand of Rs 3,300 crore.

Pinning high hopes on the central government, the Chandigarh administration has sought around 30 per cent more funds for next year’s budget as compared to the current fiscal. The administration has demanded around Rs 1,500 crore under plan head and around Rs 3,500 crore under the non-plan head.

In the current fiscal, the Centre had sanctioned Rs 3,831 crore (Rs 860 under plan and Rs 2,971 crore under non plan) against the demand of Rs 3,300 crore. UT special secretary (finance) Bhavna Garg said more funds have been demanded keeping in view the smart city project and other development work. She further said that providing budgetary support to the Municipal Corporation is also a priority area as a lot of emphasis is being laid on urban development.

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Chandigarh has been shortlisted by the ministry of urban development as one of the 100 cities to participate in the Smart City Challenge. Based on their smart city proposal, a total of 20 cities will be selected by the ministry in the first round.

The other important thrust areas include education, health, urban development, transport and power. The fund under non-plan budget will largely cater to expenditure of salaries and other recurring expenses. Garg hoped that UT’s budget proposal for the 2016-17 fiscal is approved by the Finance Minister when he presents the budget next month. In the current financial year, unhappy with the pace at which the allocated budget is being utilised, the finance ministry imposed a cut of around Rs 225 crore under the plan head forcing the administration to manage its affairs with a mere Rs 635 crore. According to senior officials, transport, engineering and health are the some of the departments which have under-utilised their allocated funds.

The cut in budget has affected the progress of ongoing projects as payments to contractors have been delayed. The UT adviser has warned that action would be taken against officials of the departments which have failed to utilise their allocated budgets.

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