SHRIPAD NAIK MEETS MPs FROM MAHARASHTRA
MAHARASHTRA
GOVT. URGED TO SPEED UP UTILISATION OF FUNDS UNDER CRF
The Minister of State
for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik held
a Meeting with Members of Parliament from Maharashtra on August
18, 2003 to review the development and maintenance of National
Highways in Maharashtra and the utilisation of funds provided
to Maharashtra under the Central Road Fund (CRF). Twelve Members
of Parliament from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha participated in the
Meeting. They congratulated Sh. Naik for having taken this initiative.
Among other
issues, there was a unanimous demand from Members of Parliament
to involve them in selection of projects within the respective
States wherever the funds are being given by the Ministry of Road
Transport and Highways. It was stated that the present policy
of approving the recommendations coming from the State Government
leads to neglect of MPs’ recommendations for works at times, more
so if the MPs do not belong to the party in power in the respective
State.
It was pointed
out that of the nearly Rs.300 crore sanctioned for Maharashtra
under CRF, the Government of Maharashtra has given utilisation
certificates only for Rs.150 crore. It was urged that the State
Government should expedite the use of funds granted by the Ministry
for the road projects sanctioned in the State and send their utilisation
certificates to the Ministry so that more funds could be released.
Shri Dilipkumar Mansukhlal Gandhi, the Minister of State for Shipping
pointed out that the works sanctioned by the Ministry two years
ago are yet to be started by the State Government. He wanted the
Ministry to take a serious view of such delays.
It was suggested
that wherever the estimates / allocation for a work exceeded the
actual amount offered in the tender, the savings should be allowed
to be retained for the extension of the same work by the same
contractor. This would ensure maximum utilisation of the funds
without waiting for re-tendering and permission for extension
of the work.
Members of Parliament
also expressed concern over accidents on the National Highways
due to speed breakers being put up by the local administration,
in violation of the Ministry guidelines. They also wanted the
Ministry to exercise quality control over the works being implemented
in the States. It was pointed out that the tender bids which are
50 percent lower than the estimated cost should not be blindly
handed over to the lowest bidder as the bidder may not be serious
about doing quality work.
