After delay, Andhra government tweaks rule to speed up UDS works

The State government, which initially ordered the local bodies to bear 10 per cent of the total amount, has changed the rule to expedite works.

VIJAYAWADA: With poor progress in the works of underground drainage system (UDS) in villages due lack of funds with the panchayats, the State government, which initially ordered the local bodies to bear 10 per cent of the total amount, has changed the rule to expedite works.

The government had decided to provide UDS in 157 rural constituencies in the State with an estimated cost of `595 crore and issued administrative sanction for spending  70 per cent cost from  MGNREGA, 10 per cent from 14th Finance Commission funds available with the respective gram panchayats and balance 20 per cent from the convergence funds available with the Commissioner of Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Department. Orders to this effect were given in March, 2017.

In the first  phase, three districts -- East Godavari, West Godavari and Chittoor -- were selected for implementing the project in 50 km in each district on a pilot basis and the works were handed over to some firms which came forward for execution in the villages having population of over 5,000.

However, as against the target of 150 km by March 31 this year, the agencies put together have done only 16 km. The agencies have explained that gram panchayats are not willing to provide 10 per cent of their share due to insufficient funds. Against this backdrop, the government modified the orders stating that 70 per cent funds from MGNREGA  and 30 per cent from convergence funds will be used for the execution of UDS works.

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The New Indian Express
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