Sunkaria writes to Admn: Mayor delaying projects

The letter states that till date,work amounting to Rs 11.50 crore is pending because “the Mayor has adopted a selective approach in adopting development agendas”.

“Despite the agenda items being put up to the Mayor for the respective meetings of the House and F&CC,majority of these are not being approved and no reason is being assigned for the same,” the letter says.

The list Sunkaria has submitted includes four major projects — augmentation of water supply and sewerage services,to be taken up under JNNURM; upgradation of panels of tubewells for SCADA compatibility; sanitation contract/ dumping of garbage and capping and closing of dumping ground; and MC computerisation project. The letter says each of these projects have been rejected a number of times.

The letter points out that in case of the computerisation project,after inviting Expressions of Interest,the Mayor insisted on deleting the clause relating to requirement of the firm having executed at least one such project in any MC in any part of the country. When she was informed that the condition could not be waived off,she took the matter to F&CC meeting in February and the process was scrapped,the letter says.

And though the Administration brought the project back on track,around four months were lost in the process,it adds.

The Commissioner has further sought clarification on whether the Mayor has the power to keep the agendas in “suspended animation”,or is she legally bound to put up these to the statutory authorities of the Municipal Corporation — House and F&CC.

On the other hand,Mayor Kamlesh said work has not even started on projects that have been approved. “There is a long list of projects that we have passed,but officials have not started work. If by the time the work is started,rates are revised,who will be responsible? There should be a penalty clause,wherein if work is not started on time,officials should be penalised and they should have to pay the fine from their pocket.”

Projects rejected
Project: Rough cost estimate (RCE) for construction of dhobi ghat in Sector 19
Estimate Cost: Rs 47 lakh
Project: Estimate for work of upgradation of existing control panels of tubewells
Estimate Cost: Rs 201.61 lakh
Project: RCE for purchase of two executive-cum-loader for use in roads
Estimate Cost: Rs 46.60 lakh
Project: Two borewells at Indira Colony,Manimajra
Estimate Cost: Rs 59.27 lakh
Project: RCE for paver blocks around parks in Sector 44
Estimate Cost: Rs 184.71 lakh