Chandigarh: The UT administration has released Rs 125 crore as grant-in-aid (GiA) to the MC for Oct, Nov and Dec. The financial boost comes at a crucial time for the MC, which will go to the polls in Dec. Multiple development projects have to be wrapped up before then.It is the prerogative of the MC to utilise the money by distributing it among various departments as per their requirements. The accounts department deals with expenditure-related aspects and manages finances on the directions of the municipal commissioner.The administration has asked the MC to submit utilisation certificates for completed works, with the stipulation that the grant be used in the current financial year.The UT has also clarified that any portion of the grant that remains unspent shall be surrendered by the civic body.The UT’s letter to the MC reads, “The MC will provide the details of performance-cum-achievement report and audited annual accounts statement to this administration. The assets acquired wholly or substantially out of the govt grants would not be disposed of, encumbered or utilized for the purpose other than for the purpose for which grant-in-aid is being sanctioned without prior sanction of the administration.”For the MC, this is a shot in the arm. “Paperwork for many 0projects is in the final stages. In the recently held monthly House meeting, many agenda items for development works in multiple wards were approved. Their tender process will start in a month. Since the MC has requisite finances this time, the works are being done on priority,” an MC official told TOI.As per civic body records, the authority has approximately Rs 75 crore in committed liabilities, such as salaries and wages of employees, pensionary benefits and office expenses like water, power and fuel charges.
