WSS seeks explanation from AMC over free water supply connections

Aurangabad, Jan 9:

The state''s Department of Water Supply and Sanitation (WSS) has sent a letter seeking an explanation from Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) in connection with the provision of providing free water supply connections and toilets to neo-Buddhists, under a scheme, in the city.

A few years ago, the state government-sponsored scheme was implemented by the AMC in the city. The civic administration had claimed to spend Rs 3.34 crore on the task, but due to the submission of two different figures of expenses and beneficiaries, the WSS sought an explanation.

Under the scheme, the neo-Buddhists were provided free of cost water connection and personal toilet. The AMC had shortlisted beneficiaries from Bhimnagar, Bhausinghpura and Nisarg Colony. However, in one letter, the AMC projected that it had spent Rs 3.34 crore and in another letter, the expense mentioned was Rs 2.68 crore. Hence the department concerned directed to reply and tell which is the real figure.

There is a difference in the figures of beneficiaries also. There is a mention of 9,230 beneficiaries in one letter, and in the second letter, there is mentioning of 5,230 beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, through another letter, the department of WSS has also raised an objection over the pipelines laid by AMC in the above three mentioned localities. It stated that the AMC was to just provide water connection and the expense of laying pipelines was to be borne from another fund or should have been implemented by Urban Development Department (UDD), stated the letter duly signed by department''s desk officer. Now, the AMC is likely to land into a problem as it will have to submit the detailed explanations over differences in figures within a prescribed period.