Staff Reporter :
To vent ire against non-release of the remaining funds for development works in concerned wards, a number of Congress Corporators, on Monday staged massive dharna, protest at Jabalpur Municipal Corporation (JMC) headquarters.
Leader of the Opposition, Amrish Mishra stated that with only three months left in the current financial year, the remaining Rs 60 lakh of corporators’ funds are yet to be disbursed. It is causing significant challenges for corporators in carrying out development projects.
He said the Congress Corporators have been raising this issue for a long time, initially in the House meetings and later directly with the Mayor and the Municipal Commissioner. Despite these efforts, Rs 60 lakh allocated to corporators for development works remains pending.
Congress Corporators said while the Mayor and the ruling party claim there is no shortage of funds for development, the reality appears different. With just two and a half months remaining in the fiscal year, the question arises how will the pending development works be completed with the remaining Rs 60 lakh still undisbursed? They have warned of an indefinite hunger strike if the funds are not released early. It is reported that following the protest, Municipal Commissioner Preeti Yadav issued orders to all zones, directing the release of Rs 30 lakh out of the pending Rs 60 lakh under Corporators’ funds. Consequently, the Congress Corporators called off their protest but warned that if the remaining Rs 30 lakh is not released soon, they will resume their agitation.