NAGPUR, FEB 29: The latest plan chalked out for the development of Vidarbha region, which was publicised as a 'time-bound' programme, has turned out to be yet another hoax. The programme was announced amidst much fanfare with an impression beingcreated that the developmental schemes listed in the programme would be implemented within the prescribed time limit. But a review has revealed that the implementation has been so lethargic that it can be called anything but a `time-bound' programme. Not even half of the funds provided for the current financial year has been utilised so far. The sorry state of affairs came to light when the implementation of the programme was being reviewed in the presence of Additional Chief Secretary M R Patil. As against the sanctioned budgetary allocation of about Rs 855 crore, funds totalling only about Rs 413 crore have been utilised so far. Under the circumstances, it is highly unlikely that the remaining amount of Rs 443 crore would be fully utilised before the end of the current financial year, i.e. on March 31. Of the Rs 855 crore, Rs 403.37 crore was meant for the eastern Vidarbha region consisting of six districts of Nagpur division and Rs 451.91 crore for western Vidarbha region consisting of five districts of Amravati division. As against the amount sanctioned for the Nagpur division, only Rs 203.38 crore has been utilised so far. In case of Amravati division, the programme implementation was even worse. Of the budgetary provision of Rs 451.1 crore, only Rs 209.88 crore has been spent so far. The special time-bound development plan was chalked out to provide higher allocation for two major sectors - irrigation and the road network. The two sectors were chosen on the basis of a report submitted by a committee set up by Governor Dr P C Alexander. Accordingly, the amount sanctioned for the current financial year included allocation of over Rs 580 crore for pending irrigation projects in the region. Funds totalling Rs 287.92 crore were sanctioned for the completion of seven major, 23 medium and 34 minor irrigation projects in eastern Vidarbha and Rs 293 crore for six major and 7 medium projects in western Vidarbha. The allocation for roads included a special provision of Rs 15 crore forconstruction of roads and bridges in the Naxal-affected tribal district ofGadchiroli by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). While reviewing theprogramme at a meeting of officials on Monday, Patil suggested that thepossibility of seeking funds from the Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) for construction of roads in Chandrapur and Yavatmal districts, where a number of coal mines are located, should be explored. Patil also reviewed the drinking water supply schemes for Nagpur city andChandrapur town. The revised scheme for Nagpur city is estimated to cost Rs 117.78 crore. The state government is willing to help the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) secure a loan from financial institutions and the World Bank, he said. The programme implementation details were submitted by Divisional Commissioners J S Saharia and Sumit Malik. NIT Chairman Wasudeorao Gorde, Nagpur Municipal Commissioner Nanak Ramteke, District Collectors and officials of government departments attended the meeting.
