MCDs fail to utilise Swachchh funds

SDMC has spent only 0.25% out of total Rs 31.63 crore.

A study has revealed that the BJP-ruled municipal corporations in the national capital were unable to utilise funds allocated under the Centre’s Swachchh Bharat Mission (SBM) with the NDMC failing to spend a single penny out of the Rs 46.28 crore allocated to it.

According to “Delhi Citizens’ Handbook 2016”, prepared by “Centre for Civil Society”, the NDMC received Rs 46.28 crore under the SBM for 2015-16, but the civic body could not spend a single amount and the entire corpus of these funds is lying unutilised.

Similarly, the SDMC managed to only spend 0.25 per cent out of the total received amount of Rs 31.63 crore. However, out of 4,656 community toilets constructed under the Swachchh Bharat Mission, most of them have been constructed by the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB). The report comes amid sudden rise of chikungunya and dengue cases. Five persons have died due to chikungunya, while dengue has claimed nine lives so far in the national capital.

“For the financial year 2015-16, the NDMC received Rs 46.28 crore under the SBM. At present, the entire corpus of these funds is lying unutilised. Out of the Rs 31.63 crore received by the SDMC, only 0.25 per cent or Rs 7.93 lakh has been spent,” said the study.

Under the SBM, the national capital will receive a total of Rs 360.01 crore over the course of the entire Mission Period (Oct 2014-19). As of May 2016, Delhi has received Rs 139.60 crore.

The DUSIB notifies certain areas as slums, where with the passage of time, the buildings have become dilapidated and the basic civic services are missing.