With change of guard in State Government, Planning Department has issued a circular vide which the administrative approval granted to various works under District Planning Committee (DPC), has been stayed.

In the past few years, the allocation to DPC for Nagpur district has reduced. In fact, the meetings of DPC also could not be held regularly due to COVID-19 pandemic and other reasons.

Earlier this year, Ajit Pawar, the erstwhile Finance and Planning Minister, had assured that the State Government would consider proposal for increased allocation. Finally, the erstwhile State Government sanctioned district annual plan of Rs 678 crore for Nagpur district, for the financial year 2022-23. Since April 1, administrative approval was granted to works worth Rs 32 crore.

With the recent change in ruling political dispensation in State, now Planning Department has issued a circular vide which administrative approval granted to various works have been stayed.

According to an officer in the know of things, but who wished to remain unnamed, the stay has been granted for time being. “The approval granted to various works will be reviewed. After that review, some approvals may be rejected or given a go-ahead,” he added.

However, there is no certainty over the date of review. For, the DPC meeting has to be held for that.

Guardian Minister is Chairman of DPC of a district. Since the new Government in the State is yet to induct ministers, the appointment of Guardian Ministers also will take time. Apart from the appointment of Guardian Ministers for districts, the DPCs will be reconstituted. New members -- nominated and special invitees -- will be appointed on DPCs. Till then, the DPC review may not be held.

An official said on condition of anonymity, already over three months have passed by since the start of the current financial year. If things move faster, it will be easier for the implementing agencies to go on with the process for executing various sanctioned works.