Punjab News- No anomalies in funds loaned to other bodies-Punjab Government

Chandigarh, September 27, 2013: The Punjab Government today categorically stated that " development projects in Amritsar have always been undertaken and pursued with expeditiousness, urgency and speed befitting the immense religious and historical status of the city. There has never been any delay at the level of the state government or the local bodies in Amritsar. The only delays have been for reasons beyond the government control such as court interventions or Government of India clearances. ”
“Wherever there has been a delay, it has only and only been due to litigation in judiciary or lack of clearances by the concerned departments of the government of India, such as the railways in case of Bhandari bridge, archaeological Survey of India (ASI)  in case of the project of chowk near the “protected site” of Ram Bagh, failure to supply CNG by the Gas Authority of India” etc.  Even for these, the state government has found alternatives and work is now being pursued with utmost promptness.”
Regarding the alleged “anomalies” by Amritsar Improvement Trust in lending  money as loan on interest to other local bodies, “There has been  no there was no “anomaly, illegality or irregularity” involved in  this. Funds of local bodies  are subject to audit and not a single penny can be misused or misappropriated with impunity,” Nor has there been any political “bias” in lending money to these Committees as money is also lent  to the local  Municipal Corporation, and Municipal Committees of Hoshiarpur, Pathankot and Rayya, among others. The Amritsar Improvement Trust does not “shell out” this money as doles or favours but earns interest on the amount loaned. All loans have followed the strictest government  procedures and have been advanced to meet administrative contingencies and only on the receipt of formal requests t this effect and by following the riht procedures. “All this is out there for anyone to see.”
Out of the money given as loan, Rs 25 crore have been given  for projects in Amritsar itself.  And of the remaining Rs. 26 crore given as loan, as sum of as much as Rs 12 crore have already been received with interest. Only Rs. 14 crore remain are in balance.
Meanwhile, a spokesman of the Punjab government disclosed that the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had already replied a letter which Amritsar MP Navjot Singh Sidhu had written to him. Sidhu had sought information on the status and background of various development projects in Amritsar, notably Solid Waste  Management, City Bus Service, Expansion of Bhandari Bridge, Four Fly-overs, installation of CCTV cameras and the City Sports Complex.
Giving details of the status of all these projects, the  Chief Minister has assured the MP that there has been nor will there be any delay at the level of the state govt. or local bodies  in the commencement or completion of any development project in the state.
“Amritsar being  one of the greatest global religious destinations, will always  be given special attention in these matters. No stone will be left unturned in the development of the city as a global center with state of he art facilities and attractions. ,” the CM said, sharing detailed point-wise information with Sidhu.  “Please come forward with any new idea on the development of the city” said the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister said the process on Solid Waste Management Project had already been started, government clearance sought and tenders issued on May 5, 2009. But the matter got delayed because of legal hindrance following litigation in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. But now the matter has been decided by the Court, according to which M C, Amritsar will award the contract on Solid Waste Management Plant within “six months from July 23, 2013.” Tenders will now be floated October 7.
In the meantime, MC will ensure waste disposal with through its own efforts.  Similarly, the City Bus Service was on schedule. Ashok Leyland, Isuzu and TATA have been chosen to supply 150 buses, which would now start arriving in two months.
The work would have begun much earlier but was delayed in view of directions of the High Court to ply on CNG buses. However, since  Gas Authority of India could not ensure CNG pipeline, order had to be reviewed in favour of Diesel buses. Now, buses will start plying  in November 2013.
Regarding Sports Complex, it has been informed that the world class Sports Complex is coming up at a cost of Rs 75 crore, as per a revised design for a state of the art facility. It will have and Open Athletic Track with a capacity of 20,000 spectators, an indoor Stadium (capacity 7500) and indoor swimming complex with a capacity of 2500. Estimates are nearly ready and Tenders will be issued in November.   CCTV  Rs, Five crore have been sanctioned for the purpose. Work on the project will start in January 2014  and will take about nine months to complete.
Similarly, Kitchlew Fly-Over, work on which was started in 2011, will be ready for public by  December-end.  But  work on 4-S chowk got held up because the Archaeology Survey of India with-held permission as it fell within 100 meters of the “Protected Site of Ram Bagh Garden” RITES India had done the initial study bt that will have to be undertaken again now. Tenders will be floated as soon as an NOC is received from the ASI, the process for securing which has been underway since July 2013.
Regarding Bahndari Bridge, it may be recalled that the work got stuck as the Railway Authorities  had rejected the proposal for widening of the bridge. Now, Rs. 100 crore have been earmarked in the new Comprehensive Mobility Plan of the city. Another Rs 41 crore have been earmarked for an elevated road loop for decongestion.  DPR has been sent to the Govt. of India and their  clearance  is awaited.
Similarly, work on the RBO and Fly over UBDC canal and Taran Railway crossing is going ahead smoothly.