The Supreme Court is not the only one to have spoilt the Taj party for Mayawati’s Government. Just a week before its intervention, the Planning Commission had already played spoilsport and refused to clear the Central allocation of Rs 120.4 crore for the same Taj corridor project.At the behest of the Supreme Court, the Centre had released tranches of Rs 111 crore and Rs 110 crore for ‘‘environmental works’’ around the monument but this time the Planning Commission stated—in writing—that the proposal was faulty. And indicated that further funds will not be released till a review of earlier allocations was made.In fact, while the Ministry of Environment (MoE) turned a blind eye to the ongoing construction work in Agra, the Planning Commission refused to schedule a meeting of the Government Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) to take up the Mayawati government’s proposal.On June 16, the Planning Commission wrote to Environment Secretary K C Mishra—who has since been put on compulsory wait—informing him about the Centre’s reservations in contributing half the funds as per the guidelines of the Supreme Court. The UP Government’s proposal mentioned an estimated cost of Rs 240.78 crore.The Planning Commission’s missive read: ‘‘The proposal gives a broad indication of financial requirements and activities to be undertaken. However, it does not give the details of the project which are an essential requirement for considering a project of this magnitude and importance.’’ The note further stated, ‘‘while financial provision exists, information on the above will be required for further consideration of the next phase of the Taj project.’’Both the Union Environment Ministry and the UP Government were told that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) should be prepared. Mishra was also instruced that an independent agency/group of officers should make an assessment on the impact of the earlier two phases of the Taj project on which a total of Rs 222.21 crore and Rs 220.10 crore were spent.Half this money had been paid by the Centre after seeking approval of the Planning Commission and the Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs (CCEA) since the project cost was over Rs 100 crore.Environment Ministry officials say that after the Planning Commission’s objections, a large delegation of top UP officials flew down to Delhi and tried to re-schedule the EFC. Even as desperate attempts were being made by Mayawati’s men to push the Central allocation through, the Supreme Court.
