Mumbai: For the first time, the state government has intervened to decide the priority of civic expenditure. It has decided to lay down guidelines for the utilisation of funds allocated by the Central and state governments for infrastructure development across five sectors. The funds also include those generated by the civic bodies themselves across Maharashtra.
As per the guidelines issued last week, all cities will have to comply while investing funds received from both the Centre and the state.
According to the list of priorities suggested by the government, the civic administration will have to keep water supply top of its agenda. The other sectors include water supply, sewage networks, solid waste management, roads, and a fifth category that covers various other works such as administrative buildings, solar power projects, gardens, green belts, rejuvenation of water sources, playgrounds, crematoria, fire stations, schools run by civic bodies, dispensaries, weekly markets, commercial complexes, auditoriums, drama theatres, and more.
Even when the state allocates funds for specific purposes, the priority list will remain the same as suggested, the Urban Development Department (UDD) has stated in a recent communiqué.
Clarifying its position, the department notes that, as of now, water is supplied at 135 litres per capita per day (LPCD) in 217 municipal bodies, while capacity augmentation is underway in the remaining civic bodies, supported by centrally sponsored schemes such as AMRUT 2.0, Nagarotthan Abhiyan, and others. The civic bodies are expected to achieve the desired targets within the next five years.
According to the UDD, only 102 civic bodies have a sewage system operational within their limits. For the rest, funds are being made available under AMRUT 2.0 and other schemes. Water treatment plants are being developed under the World Bank-assisted programme.
From now on, the civic bodies will undertake Centrally assisted projects as per the guidelines suggested by the Central government. Priority will be allocated for the water supply schemes. The roadworks can be undertaken only after completion of the water supply schemes and sewage networks.
The state directives are meant for all the Municipal Corporations and the Municipal Councils across the state.
