Delhi seeks Rs426 cr more to start making Capital swachchh
From purchasing machinery for horticulture and restaurant waste to setting up a recycling centre for dry waste, Delhi Government has listed its plan of action (POA) for implementing the Swachchh Bharat Abhiyan in the Capital and sought Rs426 crore from the Centre.
It has stated that funds worth Rs200 crore for the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NMC) and Rs130 crore for South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) will be needed. The Rs426 crore is in addition to the plan outlay of Rs475 crore for the municipal corporation.
If approved, the municipal corporations will thus, have a whopping Rs900 crore at their disposal. As per estimated figures, Delhi Government has spent Rs6 crore in advertisements in both print and electronic media under the Swachchh Bharat Abhiyan.
Top sources in the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) told The Pioneer that Delhi Government has sought Rs426 crore for the local bodies. The funds are needed for effective implementation of Swachchh Bharat Abhiyan. It has asked the MoUD for early release of funds.
Delhi Government has been funding local bodies for conservancy and sanitation services and there is a plan outlay of Rs475 crore for local bodies and Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB).
In a letter to the Ministry, Delhi Government has stated that NMC needs Rs200 crore for purchase of machinery, additional manpower, infrastructure development, reclamation of sanitary landfill sites.