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Bihar elections: Schemes in place but money not being used - constantly!
Bihar elections: Schemes in place but money not being used - constantly!

India Today

time4 hours ago

  • Politics
  • India Today

Bihar elections: Schemes in place but money not being used - constantly!

As with every election, leaders and hopefuls in Bihar are currently busy making promises. The question voters should ask is: even if the promises are kept, is the money allocated to schemes actually being used?A Comptroller and Auditor General of India report released on July 24 found some 'major cases of non-utilisation of the entire budget provision (Rs 100 crore and above) amounting to Rs 7,567.93 crore in 20 Scheme Head of Accounts'. The report is based on 2023-24 highest unutilised fund, Rs 1,628 crore, was for the second phase of the Swachh Bharat Mission. Next to this was an unused Rs 1,500 crore for the Indira Awaas Yojana, which provides grants for housing construction to poor people. Additionally, there's an unused amount of Rs 1,387.52 crore related to various health schemes. Notably, a separate CAG report recently highlighted the extremely grim situation of healthcare in the state. Despite that, the funds for health-related works recommended by the Finance Commission, infrastructure maintenance under the National Health Mission, renovation of health centres under Saat Nishchaya-2 and construction of buildings of health sub-centres under the NABARD-sponsored scheme were completely Read | Why healthcare needs to be centre stage in Bihar electionsOther major schemes include Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana with Rs 1,100 crore unused, Rs 849.84 crore unused for financial aid to colleges and non-government schools, the National Rural Drinking Water Programme with Rs 336 crore of unused funds, and UNDERUSEDWhile many grants remained completely unutilised, many others were only half used. Among the large schemes worth Rs 1,000 crore and more, essential departments such as agriculture, education, home, disaster management, etc., saw unused funds consistently since than Rs 10,000 crore remained unutilised as grants for education every year between FY20 and FY24. In terms of share of the full budget, nearly 53 per cent of the grants in rural development were left unused in FY24 and around 47 per cent of the grants in agriculture and disaster management were left unused CAG report suggests that the consistent underutilisation of funds is mainly due to overbudgeting, lack of proper expenditure planning, bureaucratic delays, poor accountability and weak financial controls.- EndsTune InMust Watch

₹1,000 cr down the drain, as Chennai's public toilets still stink
₹1,000 cr down the drain, as Chennai's public toilets still stink

Time of India

time19 hours ago

  • General
  • Time of India

₹1,000 cr down the drain, as Chennai's public toilets still stink

City corporation's Singara Chennai dream has been drowned by stench. Even after more than ₹1,000 crore was spent to clean public toilets, they remain stinky, dirty and in a ramshackle state. Now, Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) plans to pump in another 1,000 crore for the same failed cause. In order to clean, maintain and build 10,000 public toilet seats in the city across 1,260 locations, the GCC spent 620 crore under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) in the last five years, and another 430 crore was spent to privatise toilets in two zones -- Royapuram, Thiru Vi Ka Nagar — and partly Marina in a nine-year privatisation deal. This apart, they spent around 50 crore to build and maintain mobile toilets, e-toilets, and Singara Chennai's 'Oppanai Araai's toilets. A field visit by TOI, however, showed the money has gone down the drain. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai In Anna Nagar, a 10-storey SBM toilet that once existed, and still shows on Google Maps, is now missing. Another toilet in Tower Park has no door on the women's side, just a pink curtain, and it reeks of urine. At the SBM toilet outside Rajarathinam Stadium in Egmore, the floor is filthy and no staff was present to monitor the seats. None of these facilities had CCTV, although it is required under GCC's tender rules. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Benefits of Trading Bitcoin CFDs IC Markets Learn More Undo In the Adyar zone alone, the GCC spent about 1.6 crore within six months from Feb to maintain toilets. Yet, the toilets remained shut and the commode was plastered with cement. In a nearby location, on Indira Nagar fourth main road, the e-toilet marked on Google Maps was removed five months ago. At Apparao Gardens in Aminjikarai, a two-decade-old public toilet stands crumbling with its floor lined with water-filled holes, and a stray dog resting on a toilet seat. One of the walls is cracked and looks ready to fall. "This toilet has been such as this for as long as I can remember," says Padmini, a resident living nearby. "Using a restroom should be a peaceful experiance, not something where you worry if something will fall on your head. " The GCC has not enforced any of its key-performance indicators such as cleanliness, CCTVs, water supply, presence of staff, ramps, and proper sewage outfalls. Not has it blacklisted any of its contractors, including Dr RSB Infra who handles privatisation in Royapuram and Thiru Vi Ka Nagar zones. In these zones, the GCC inflated maintenance costs per seat from 3.18 per seat to 364, which was 300-times the cost of toilets maintained in popular private firms. DMK councillors too have flagged GCC's poor maintenance of toilets. In the council, accounts committee chairman K Dhanasekaran admitted that the corporation lacked both adequate funds and technical expertise to design and maintain toilets. While existing toilets are poor, there are no toilets at all in popular public spaces like Guindy and Koyambedu. The mobile toilet buses launched by mayor R Priya last year are nowhere to be seen. Ignoring the glaring scams, lack of enforcement on the six-month shorter contracts and nine-year contracts as well, officials continue to bank on nine-year contracts as a permanent solution. "The nine-year privatisation is one of the first corporation-funded toilet privatisation models in India," said PV Srinivasan, superintending engineer of special projects. Yet, GCC is sitting on this 1,243 crore privatisation deal for 13 zones for nearly two years now. On the delay, mayor Priya said that bringing in high-quality private toilets is a tedious approval process. "The special projects team first identifies the sites. These are then inspected for structural stability, and finally sent to the council for approval. This takes time," she said. She said the corporation is speeding up approvals and implementation. "Work is underway for the rest of the 13 zones and when these toilets are operational, they will be of a good quality," she said. Though tenders have been awarded to three contractors, work is yet to start anywhere and the six-month contracts continue to be in place. Officials promise works will be finished by Dec 2026.

In ‘Mann Ki Baat', Prime Minister Modi praises Panaji's waste sorting into 16 categories
In ‘Mann Ki Baat', Prime Minister Modi praises Panaji's waste sorting into 16 categories

Time of India

time2 days ago

  • Politics
  • Time of India

In ‘Mann Ki Baat', Prime Minister Modi praises Panaji's waste sorting into 16 categories

Panaji: In his 124th ' Mann Ki Baat ' episode, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised the Corporation of the City of Panaji's 16-way segregation of waste. Modi also highlighted the role played by women in waste management and the state capital's larger aim of ensuring cleanliness. 'The example of Panaji city in Goa is also inspiring. There, waste is divided into 16 categories, and that is also being led by women,' Modi said. 'Panaji has even received the President's award. Friends, cleanliness is not a one-time, one-day task. Only when we accord priority to cleanliness every day, every moment of the year, will the country remain clean.' Modi said that a task such as keeping the country clean may come across as impossible but the ' Swachh Bharat Mission ' proves that if cities and states work together, change is possible. Chief minister Pramod Sawant thanked the PM for appreciating Panaji's efforts in waste management. Sawant said that the dedication shown by the women who segregate the city's waste has not only transformed Panaji's cleanliness standards but has also earned the city the President's award. 'This recognition inspires us to continue working towards a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable Goa,' Sawant added. Urban development minister Vishwajit Rane also acknowledged Panaji's pioneering efforts in waste management. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Fully Loaded 4 BHK apts for 4.49 Cr(All Incl)* in Sec 104 ATS Triumph, Gurgaon Book Now Undo 'This model is being led by women, and it's a matter of great pride that Panaji has also been honoured with the Rashtrapati Puraskar for its commitment to cleanliness and innovation,' said Rane. While thanking the PM for the recognition, Rane said that CCP mayor Rohit Monserrate also deserves credit for 'unwavering leadership' in waste management. Rane offered his gratitude to all the women changemakers driving Panaji's waste management initiative.

Mann Ki Baat inspires, rekindles confidence across nation: BJP leaders laud PM Modi's 124th episode
Mann Ki Baat inspires, rekindles confidence across nation: BJP leaders laud PM Modi's 124th episode

Hans India

time2 days ago

  • Politics
  • Hans India

Mann Ki Baat inspires, rekindles confidence across nation: BJP leaders laud PM Modi's 124th episode

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 124th episode of the monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, broadcast on Sunday, drew praise from several BJP leaders for its consistent messaging, emotional connect with the people, and emphasis on national pride and participation. Union Minister of State Sukanta Majumdar lauded the Prime Minister for remembering Bengal's revolutionary legacy. "In this Mann ki Baat Prime Minister mentioned so many things, especially in the context of Bengal. I would like to thank the Prime Minister, he named Khudiram Bose," Majumdar said, highlighting the recognition of Bengal's freedom fighters and their contribution to India's Independence. Echoing the sentiment, Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra praised the continuity and global uniqueness of the programme. "Since its inception, he has been speaking to the people on the last Sunday of every month without fail. This is truly unprecedented globally. Staying connected with the people and discussing even the smallest matters," Malhotra noted, underscoring how Mann Ki Baat has become a consistent platform for grassroots dialogue. BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj said the programme was helping rebuild India's national confidence. "The British rule tried to break India's self-confidence. PM Narendra Modi's Mann Ki Baat is an optimistic program that inspires the youth and rekindles confidence across the nation," she said. During the episode, Prime Minister Modi focused on the Swachh Bharat Mission, describing it as a powerful symbol of collective national will. "Sometimes a task comes across as impossible to some people... But when the country comes together on one thought, even the impossible becomes possible. 'Swachh Bharat Mission' is the biggest example of this," he said, adding that the mission, which will soon complete 11 years, remains just as relevant and necessary today. Calling the movement a 'true mass movement', the Prime Minister noted that public participation has made it successful. He pointed out that the annual Swachh Survekshan continues to encourage people to take ownership of their local environments and keep them clean. As Mann Ki Baat continues its journey into its second decade, it remains a key initiative connecting the Prime Minister directly with the people, offering inspiration, encouragement, and national purpose, one Sunday at a time.

4,500 cities, towns joined 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan' this year: PM Modi
4,500 cities, towns joined 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan' this year: PM Modi

Business Standard

time2 days ago

  • Politics
  • Business Standard

4,500 cities, towns joined 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan' this year: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the nation in his 124th 'Mann Ki Baat' episode, focusing on the importance of 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan' in ensuring cleanliness and waste management. "Sometimes a task comes across as impossible to some people. They wonder, would this even be possible? But, when the country comes together on one thought, even the impossible becomes possible. 'Swachh Bharat Mission' is the biggest example of this. Soon, this mission will complete 11 years. But, its strength and its need is still the same," an official release quoted PM Modi as saying. As the Swachh Bharat Mission nears its 11th anniversary, PM Modi stated that more than 4,500 cities and towns across the nation have joined the cleanliness movement this year. "In these 11 years, 'Swachh Bharat Mission' has become a mass movement. People consider it their duty, and this is real public participation. The Swachh Survey, conducted every year, has lifted this feeling further. More than 150 million people participated in it. This is not an ordinary number. This is the voice of Swachh Bharat," PM Modi said. Apprising the listeners of efforts made by people in Uttarakhand's Kirtinagar, the PM said that they have set a new example of waste management in the hills. "When it comes to cleanliness, our cities and towns are working in different ways according to their needs and surroundings. And their impact is not just limited to these cities; the whole country is adopting these methods. The people of Kirtinagar in Uttarakhand are setting a new example of waste management in the hills," PM Modi said in his address. He said that organic waste management was being done with the help of technology in Karnataka's Mangaluru. The PM also highlighted the efforts of locals in Arunachal Pradesh's Roing in managing waste by creating a park from recycled waste. "There is a small city called Roing in Arunachal. There was a time when waste management was a significant challenge to the health of the people. The people there took responsibility for it. 'Green Roing Initiative' was started, and then an entire park was created from recycled waste. Similarly, many new examples of water management have been set in Karad and in Vijayawada. The cleanliness at the River Front in Ahmedabad has also caught everyone's attention," PM Modi said. The PM praised the 'Sakartmak Soch' team working in Bhopal, comprising 200 women, who not only clear but also change mindsets. "A team in Bhopal is called 'Sakaratmak Soch'. It comprises 200 women. They don't just clean, they also change mindsets. Cleaning parks in the city together, distributing cloth bags, every step of theirs is a message. Owing to such efforts, Bhopal has now come a long way in the Swachh Survey. It is also important to mention the Gomti River team of Lucknow. Every Sunday for the last 10 years, tirelessly, without stopping, the members of this team are engaged in the cleanliness work," PM Modi said. "The example of Bilha in Chhattisgarh is also great. Here, women received training in waste management, and together, they transformed the city's landscape. The example of Panaji city in Goa is also inspiring. There, waste is divided into 16 categories, and that is also being led by women. Panaji has even received the President's award. Friends, cleanliness is not a one-time, one-day task. Only when we accord priority to cleanliness every day, every moment of the year, will the country remain clean," he added.

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