Kolkata, May 24 -- The BJP-led West Bengal government has put on hold the 'Paray Samadhan' development scheme launched by the outgoing Trinamool Congress administration across all municipalities in the state, pending a review of the quality and necessity of the projects undertaken under the programme.
The Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Department has also reportedly cancelled several proposed projects that had already cleared the tendering process and were assigned to contractors, but could not begin before the announcement of the Assembly elections. Sources said payments for works related to roads, drainage, water supply and street lighting executed before the polls would now be released only after physical inspections and audits examining the relevance of the projects and transparency in the tender process. Further, similar audits in rural development areas have effectively stalled work and payments under the scheme in many panchayat regions as well.
Though no formal notification has been issued, municipal officials admitted that verbal instructions have been circulated to halt the programme. Funds previously allocated by the former government and transferred to civic bodies have reportedly been withdrawn.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation's accounts department has also been directed not to accept contractors' bills linked to the scheme.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.