AMC faces financial crisis for Smart City Mission

Aurangabad, Feb 11:

The Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is facing a financial crisis for the continuation Smart City Mission.

The Central Government included the city in Smart City Mission which requires Rs 1000 crore. Central Government's share is of Rs 500 crore while State Government and AMC were asked to make available Rs 250 crore each.

The Centre has provided Rs 294 crore to Aurangabad Smart City Development Corporation (ASCDC) so fare while the State Government has given Rs 147 crore. The civic body which received Rs 441 crore both Central and State Governments, has not used a single penny from its share for the Smart City Mission.

The Corporation used the planning committee and Government level funds to tackle COVID.

The State Government’s fund is being used for road development and city bus service.

Since the number of COVID patients is declining, the Centre has asked the Civic Body officers to use their share first and then, approach for the remaining fund (centre).

The AMC will have to arrange Rs 250 crore for the project. It will also have to arrange share of Rs 25 crore Swach Bharat Abhiyan. AMC administrator and chief executive officer of ASCDC Astik Kumar Pandey said that Smart City Mission chief Kunal Kumar had called them about its share. “If the Corporation does not use its share, the Centre will not provide the remaining amount,” he added.