: The Central government’s silence on the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission and Rajiv Gandhi Awas Yojana projects in the annual budget has puzzled the civic administrators of Kochi.
The local body had been hoping for the extension or revamp of the Mission projects and additional funding from its transition phase. The JNNURM had earlier sanctioned a few projects, including the water supply system, a project for waste management, upgradation of surface water drainage system for central city area and a Sewerage scheme for central city zone for Kochi. The city could spend only 46 per cent of the sanctioned funds till March. The Mission had sanctioned Rs. 517 crore for the city.
In a statement issued here on Thursday, Kochi Mayor Tony Chammany said the budget declined to address any of the pressing needs of the city. While no new projects were announced for Kochi, the Centre’s silence on the existing projects has put a question mark on the existing projects, Mr. Chammany said.
