Rs 7 crore under MP LAD fund given to Himachal

Shimla, Oct 5 (UNI) Union Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma said here today that Rs 7 crore had been received under MP Local Area Development Fund (Rajya Sabha) for Himachal Pradesh since year-2004.

Mr Sharma, while presiding over the meeting to review MP Local Area Development Schemes (MPLAD) at Peterhof, stressed the need of timely completion of all ongoing works and submission of utilisation certificates.

He said that total 245 works were approved under this scheme and Rs. 624.69 lakh had been sanctioned for which utilisation certificates of only 67 works worth Rs. 154.54 lakh have been received from the executing agencies.

The Union Minister expressed concern over the fact that 178 works were pending in the Executive Agencies and as per reports received from various agencies, 41 works were not started due to land dispute, non availability of land and delay in signing of agreement with the Panchayats.

He said that the agencies concerned should see the feasibility of these works in a month's time and if the work could not be started, then it should be reported to Deputy Commissioner Office Shimla, so that the money could be reallocated for other developmental works.

He said that 137 works were in progress at different stages and some of these have been completed, but the utilisation certificates were still awaited.

Mr Sharma said that funds were not constraint and adequate money would be given for the upgradation of Municipal Corporation Shimla's Laboratory.

He also approved Rs 2.50 lakh for purchase of vehicle for Shimla Municipal Corporation for Stray dogs sterilisation and Rs. 5 lakh for the completion of Ambulance road from Mehta Petrol Pump to Valley Villa.

UNI XC JN BK1940