Kalmadi returns to PMC

Talking to newsperson after the meeting, Kalmadi, however, said that the meeting was called by Mayor Vatsala Andekar and he was just one of the invitees.

The founder of the Pune VIkas Aghadi PVA, the ruling party at the PMC, however made it clear to the Municipal Commissioner that the ambitious mega-water supply and sewerage system augmentation scheme would be given a green signal by the general body only if the administration clears his doubts over the repayment of the loan for the Rs 150 crore project.

According to the administration, the PMC would be required to set aside Rs 70 crore in its budget every year for paying the loan instalments for the Rs 750 crore first phase of the mega scheme which is to be completed by year 20001.

Kalmadi felt that the instalment amount should be reduced to Rs 50 crore, so that the PMC has balance funds in its treasury to carry out road works and other development projects. 8220;It should not happen that all the funds are diverted for water supply project and there is no money to carry out road works,8221; he said.

Kalmadi, however, said that this was just a suggestion and he would not press it if Agarwal satisfies him on availability of funds for other development works even after setting aside Rs 70 crore in the budget for water supply project.

8220;The administration should also clarify as to whether it intends to raise the water cess substantially to mop up funds for the project?,8221; Kalmadi demanded.

He said that he has already held talks with State Public Works Department PWD Minister Nitin Gadkari who has chalked out a plan to construct 17 fly over8217;s in Pune and neighbouring Pimpri-Chinchwad. 8220;Considering this project the PMC should set aside funds for roads too,8221; he said.

He also demanded the civic administration to speed up the process for releasing the Rs 200 crore private placement PMC bonds. Agarwal assured that the bonds would be released before October this year, he said.