It has been more than three months that additional funds were promised for the Quli Qutb Shah Urban Development Authority (QQSUDA), but not a single rupee has landed in its coffers.
The Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy had promised to sanction an additional grant of Rs. 15 crore to the QQSUDA some time ago. The money was to be utilised for taking up many development works in old city.
“We have not received any additional funds till date from the government,” said N. Raghunath Rao, Secretary, QQSUDA.
Rs. 19 crore budget
The State government allocates an annual budget of Rs. 19 crore to the developmental agency every year though the requirement is much higher. About Rs. 4 crore goes towards staff salary, maintenance and administrative expenses every year.
Of the balance amount, various development works were being taken up in different areas of the old city. Interestingly, the budgetary allocation to the QQSUDA was only Rs 8.5 crore till two years ago.
Apart from Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB), the QQSUDA also takes up civic and infrastructure-related works like laying of cement concrete roads, construction of buildings and laying sewerage lines in the old city areas.
It has constructed sports grounds in different areas of the old city.
The Dabeerpura flyover was also constructed by the agency. But, due to non-availability of funds, the authorities were very cautious in sanctioning works as they have had bitter experiences with contractors over delay in payment of the bills.
“We are not going by any promises. We have already faced a lot of problems in clearing pending bills of the contactors in the past. Works will be sanctioned and contracts awarded only when the money is credited to the account,” an official informed.
