CM releases ₹211 crore for urban local bodies

CHANDIGARH: To boost development works in the state, chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday released ₹211 crore and presented cheques for ₹58 crore to 37 urban local bodies.

Describing the money as a “social cheque”, the CM directed the urban local bodies to ensure that it is spent in a transparent manner. He also instructed the officials concerned to immediately start work on all pending development projects.

A spokesperson said the CM assured that his government would ensure equitable expenditure, without indulging in any discrimination as was “done by the previous Akali-bjp government against the areas represented by the Congress”.

The CM said his government was in the process of arranging a loan of ₹1,540 crore for achieving 100% coverage of the water supply and sewerage system in areas under the urban local bodies.

The amount was expected to be released soon, he said, adding that the government was also expecting an additional grant of ₹34.91 crore to be released soon through PIDB.

Speaking on the occasion, local government minister Navjot Singh Sidhu thanked the CM for the release of the development project fund, which he described as Amarinder Diwali gift to the people of Punjab.

Responding to concerns expressed by some of the municipal councillors present at the cheque distribution ceremony, the CM said there was no question of him supporting Rana Gurjit Singh as the Justice Narang Commission had cleared the cabinet minister of charges of corruption in the sand mine auctions.

He also assured that those behind the murder of an RSS worker in Ludhiana would be caught soon.