Shiv Sena member Sanjay Nirupam today moved a calling attention motion in the Rajya Sabha on the Urban Development Ministry’s proposals for improving the civic infrastructure in Mumbai. Making an impassioned plea for urgent funds for a complete overhaul of the city’s infrastructure, Nirupam rolled out figures on why Mumbai deserved more than a mere handout.‘‘Mumbai contributes so much to the country — it gives Rs 5,000 crore in revenue to the Centre, plus 22 per cent of the country’s tax revenue, one-third of the Income Tax earnings is from Mumbai, it contributes five per cent to the GDP, and a third of foreign trade comes from the city — but the city gets nothing from the country,’’ Nirupam said.In response, Union Urban Development Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad assured the House he would pool together resources to improve the urban infrastructure of the metropolis. But he cautioned he had scarce resources for the development of metros in the country.‘‘I must admit not much has been done for Mumbai. However, I realise there is an impression my ministry is flush with funds; let me make it clear my ministry has not more than Rs 200 crore for centrally sponsored schemes,’’ Azad said.He added that he has already petitioned the Planning Commission and the Finance Ministry for more funds to make a real difference in metros, or he would be forced to end the schemes.For Mumbai, the minister said there were a total of 48 projects covering water supply, sanitation, traffic, transportation, slums and environment costing Rs 1,015.97 crore, which had been taken up since 1993-94. The Centre had allotted Rs 255.99 crore, and the state had contributed 235.83 crore so far, and a sum of Rs 252.83 crore had been mobilised through institutional finance.For 2004-05, the Central share of Rs 53.42 crore had been earmarked but only Rs 17.78 crore could be actually released for want of utilisation certificates for 2003-04 and unavailability of matching state share for 2003-04 and 2004-05, the minister said.The minister also assured the House that schemes for an integrated development of Dharavi had been taken up in consultation with the state government to meet the housing as well as employment needs of the people residing in the area. He also said his ministry would be laying greater emphasis on solid waste management in the country, for power generation and other benefits.
