HYDERABAD: Despite the recent state government order (dated 17/03/12), granting administrative sanction to the GHMC to undertake the beautification works related to the Conference of Parties, Convention on Biodiversity (CoP-11) and not the funds as such, Mayor, GHMC, Mohd Majid Hussain remained upbeat that the expected funds to the tune of Rs 400 crore would definitely be released sooner or later.
“The government order has clearly mentioned that we have to fund the project for the time being.
We have full faith that it will be released for sure sooner or later.
We are anyway going ahead with the tender issue process and survey works as of now.
As and when the funds are released by the state government, we will initiate all work,” he said.
Asked about the GHMC’s alternate plan of action, he mentioned that the GHMC could only afford to spend `50-100 crore on the entire project, and nothing more.
“We are ready from our side, and continue to remain hopeful.
If funds are not released, we can only provide for development works within our budget limit,” he added.
Meanwhile, TDP floor leader, Singi Reddy Srinivas Reddy remained sceptical if the works could be completed in time for the event which is to be held in October.
“By not releasing funds immediately, the launch of the works will only get further delayed.
The CoP should be seen as an event of the state and not just of Hyderabad.” Incidentally, GHMC’s cashstrapped avatar has been blamed on the lack of release of tax collections by the state government to the corporation in recent years.
“Before 2007, the GHMC was entitled to Rs 57 crore worth property tax, of which we received Rs 10 crore.
After 2007, the amount was raised to Rs 72 crore, but even now the share we actually get is just Rs 20 crore.
Even the share in grants for payment of salary, road development, central government grants for fastest emerging cities and provisional tax is not being paid in full to the GHMC”, he said, presenting the reasons why GHMC was left running around for funds, which affected the various development works directly or indirectly.