Lok Satta opposes diversion of funds

Hyderabad, Nov 11 (UNI) Taking strong exception to the state government asking civic bodies to remit the fees collected under the building regularisation and layout regularisation schemes into the treasury, the Lok Satta today claimed it was totally contrary to Municipal Administration Minister Koneru Ranga Rao's promise that the amount would be kept in a separate account and utilised to meet local needs.

Briefing the media, party spokespersons Katari Srinivasa Rao and B Krishna Reddy said the Government had collected Rs 605 crore under the two schemes covered by GO 901 and 902, even as a public interest litigation petition filed by Lok Satta questioning them was pending in the High Court.

The Lok Satta had opposed the schemes right from the beginning as they sought to penalise innocent buyers of flats and plots instead of officials and builders responsible for irregularities, they said, adding that the Government was now seeking to divert the penal fees into the treasury to meet its expenses on ''unproductive schemes''.

The Lok Satta demanded that the Rs 605 crore be utilised towards improving civic amenities like parks, commmunity halls, playgrounds and roads in towns and cities, they added.

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