After assuming the charge of Chief Minister of Delhi on February 14, Arvind Kejriwal has set up an expenditure and finance committee (EFC) some days back. The committee’s approval is needed to get okay for any Capital projects that include schools, colleges, flyovers, foot overbridges, underpasses and buildings.
Sources said that projects and/or schemes and works worth Rs50 crore and above will be approved by the Chief Minister while projects between Rs15 crore and Rs50 crore will be approved by the Finance Minister. Since February 14, the Kejriwal Government has not convened a single EFC meeting.
Normally, any project of Rs10 crore and more is forwarded to the EFC headed by the Finance Minister for approval. If expenditure crosses Rs50 crore, EFC approval from the Chief Minister is mandatory. The Arvind Kejriwal Government has failed to initiate even one project of Rs10 crore or more and therefore, no EFC meeting has been convened till date.
It is to be noted that even during the President’s Rule, three meetings of EFC had been convened and approved several projects, including construction of several senior secondary-level schools, court premises at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg and NCC HQs at Rohini.
Top sources told The Pioneer that each and every project needs to get approval from the EFC. The Government has not convened a single EFC meeting on any issue/project till date. It is an irony the AAP Government has promised to open 500 new schools, 20 new colleges in the national Capital during Assembly polls.
“This means opening of eight schools and 50 playgrounds every month and one new college every three months are among a few major tasks that the AAP Government would be bound to deliver in the next five years,” said an insider, on condition of anonymity, adding that the Government’s main focus is on providing subsidy on power and water rather than infrastructure.
“Besides, no new buses have been added to the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) fleet for the past two years. After the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order to stop registering of 15-year-old vehicles in Delhi, the Capital needs 1,500 new buses immediately. But this Government isn’t serious about improving public transport system,” said officials.
During the President’s Rule, the EFC had given its nod for construction of three buildings of senior secondary schools in Dwarka’s Sectors 3 and 5, and Rohini’s Sector 21 at a total estimated cost of Rs51 crore.
The EFC has also approved a project of the Industries Department for redevelopment and upgradation of roads and drains at lawrence Road Industrial Area, Blocks A, B & C at an estimated cost of Rs30.97 crore.