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Chandigarh faces setback as development projects hit by order delay

Chandigarh, a city grappling with administrative challenges, has hit a roadblock as new development projects are put on hold. The recent decision by Municipal Commissioner Anindita Mitra to halt the issuance of new tenders until further notice has raised concerns about the city's progress. In a meeting with UT Administrator Banwarilal Purohit, Mayor Anup Gupta conveyed the urgency of the situation, stressing that essential development work should not be stalled.

Mayor Anup Gupta urgently sought a meeting with UT Administrator Banwarilal Purohit to address the current situation in Chandigarh. Concerns were raised about the potential adverse impact on ongoing and upcoming development projects due to the order preventing new tenders from being floated. The mayor expressed his commitment to ensuring that no development work would suffer and that the issue would be resolved promptly.

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Development works at risk

The decision to halt new tenders came after Municipal Commissioner Anindita Mitra's order, which allocated Rs 282 crore for solid and liquid waste management in compliance with the National Green Tribunal's (NGT) directives. This move has sparked concerns among city councilors who had recently approved projects worth over Rs 5 crore, primarily focused on paver-related work. The ban on new tenders could potentially hamper various development initiatives, prompting worries about the city's progress.

The NGT had directed the city administration to ensure the availability of funds, specifically Rs 282 crore, for waste management efforts. This allocation was to be placed in a separate ringfenced account, allowing for expenses beyond this amount if deemed necessary. Commissioner Mitra's order was in direct response to this, focusing on financial prudence by restricting the issuance of new tenders, except for emergent cases. The goal is to ensure that the allocated funds are effectively utilized while addressing the financial constraints.

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Congress's concerns and demands

The Congress party has expressed concern over the financial crisis that has led to the suspension of new tenders and development work. They have emphasized the need for the UT Administrator to reassess the budgetary allocations provided by the Central government. The party's spokesperson, Rajiv Sharma, urged for a review of the disparity between the taxes collected from the residents of Chandigarh and the allocations made by the Central government. The Congress has also demanded additional funding to address the present financial challenges and ensure the city's progress remains uninterrupted.

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