Khanna, January 6
The SDM, Khanna, Mr Manvesh Singh Sidhu, has sought explanation from the EO, Municipal Council, Khanna, for not attending the meeting scheduled for submitting a report by the MC authorities regarding funds-raising efforts made by the council for the ongoing sewerage project.
The project was started two years ago at a cost of Rs 8.52 crore by the Punjab State Sewerage and Water Supply Board. The project was planned under the guidance of Planning Commission. The Union
Government has sent an aid of Rs 4.26 crore, but the state government has not sent its promised share of Rs 2.13 crore till now. It is learnt that the Secretary, Local Govt, has directed the Municipal Council to raise the said amount of its own. The council has even failed to deposit its own share of Rs. 2.13 crore. According to sources, the council has deposited only one crore out of the said amount.
In the last month, the sewerage board’s SE and other officials held a meeting with municipal officials and members of the council and another one with the SDM, Khanna. In the meeting with the SDM, it was decided that the council authorities would make efforts for getting sanctioned a loan of Rs one crore from a bank. A resolution to this effect was passed by the council. For submitting the report, a meeting was scheduled at the MC office for today under the chairmanship of the SDM, Khanna.
The SDM reached the MC office for the meeting, but the EO was not present in the office. When the SDM enquired about the EO, it was told that he was in Chandigarh to attend a meeting called by the Local Body Secretary. The SDM told
Ludhiana Tribune that there was not any written record about the said meeting in the council’s office. The SDM had sought an explanation from the EO in this regard.
The EO Khanna was not available for comments.
