Pune: Rs 38 crore funds meant for merged villages diverted to Baner-Balewadi
Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is being run by the Municipal Commissioner-cum-Administrator. However, funds meant for roads and water supply in the merged villages have been diverted to Baner-Balewadi to carry out work such as replacing a drainage line in Sus; building stormwater drains, surfacing of roads; developing new roads and repairing potholes.
In all, Rs 38.50 crore was made available through transfer. Rs 10 crore were allocated in the Civic Budget 2024-25 to prepare a master plan for water supply in 32 merged villages. Rs 10 crore was earmarked for water supply and Rs 18.50 crore was set aside for asphaltisation of various roads. Thus, Rs 38.50 crore was allocated for the merged villages.
The water supply plan of Sus, Mahalunge, Lohegaon and Wagholi among the 32 villages has been readied. Work has already started there. However, the plan for Khadakwasla, Dhayari, Narhe, Mangdewadi, Bhilarewadi, Ambegaon is still not ready. Roads in these villages are very bad. Therefore, road work is a priority for them. Funds were allocated for the purpose in the budget.
When funds are needed for each part of the city, some leaders from Baner, Balewadi pressured ministers and got special funds granted for their areas.
Municipal Commissioner Dr Rajendra Bhosale said, “Funds have been transferred as per the demand by people’s representatives. It will be checked if these funds are really used for the purpose, for which they were given.”
