Stokes urges Centre to release second installment for Swan Project
Author(s): City Air NewsShimla, November 9, 2015: Irrigation & Public Health Minister Smt.Vidya Stokes has urged the Government of India to release the second installment of the Central assistance immediately for the Swan River Flood Management...
Shimla, November 9, 2015: Irrigation & Public Health Minister Smt.Vidya Stokes has urged the Government of India to release the second installment of the Central assistance immediately for the Swan River Flood Management Project being implemented in Una district.
Smt.Stokes raised this demand in a meeting with Union Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Minister Smt. Uma Bharti on Sunday at New Delhi.
She apprised the Union Minister that work of this project from Daulatpur Bridge to Gagret Bridge in Main Swan River and all tributaries joining main Swan River from Daulatpur Bridge to Santokhgarh Bridge with total outlay of Rs. 922.48 crores was in full swing. 70% cost of the project was being released by Govt. of India as central assistance and 30% share was of the State.
She said during the year 2014-15 State Govt. had made budget allocation of Rs.308.00 crore for this project and as per the funding pattern 70% i.e. 215.60 crore was to be released by the Govt. of India in two installments and 30% i.e. 92.40 crore by the State Govt. However, the State Govt. released full funds to the tune of Rs.308 crore during the year 2014-15 whereas the Govt. of India has released only first installment of Rs. 107.80 crores.
Smt. Stokes said the case for release of second installment of Rs. 107.80 crore was forwarded to Central Water Commission Shimla. The proposal was further recommended to Ministry of Water Resources River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation for necessary approval and release of the second installment to the State Government by the Central Water Commission (CWC). However, the second installment of the Central Assistance to HP-4 scheme was not released during 2014-15.
She said during the year 2015-16 the State Govt. again requested CWC for release/ reimbursement of the second installment of Central Assistance of Rs. 107.80 Crore which was eligible and not released during the year 2014-15.
Smt. Vidya Stokes requested the Union Minister to release the installment for the year 2014-15 at the earliest so that ongoing works of the project did not suffer.
Smt. Uma Bharti assured that Centre would soon release the second installment of the project.