KOCHI: Kochi Corporation, which had to face sharp criticism from the State Finance Commission for poor utilization of Plan Funds during the last fiscal, could spend 71.88 per cent of the Plan Funds allocated by the state government during this year. Of the total allocation of Rs 146.51 crore, the civic body spent Rs 105.31 crore. The city corporation has more than 600 works that are being carried out using Plan funds.
According to Mayor Soumini Jain, Kochi has become one of the top civic bodies in the state for Plan Fund utilization. Compared to the previous fiscal, the expenditure is better with more money being spent for road and drain works.
“During this fiscal, the local body could effectively utilise the development fund, maintenance fund (roads), maintenance funds (non-roads) and the 13th Finance Commission funds. The expenditure is higher than the state average,” said Ms. Jain. The Mayor attributed the achievement to proper planning and the time bound implementation of projects and maintenance works.
However, not even half of the development fund for the scheduled caste/scheduled tribe including their welfare projects has been utilised. Last year, the local body’s Plan fund expenditure was 70 per cent despite the initial hitches like introduction of e-tendering system, the confusion over introducing Central Public Works Department (CPWD) rate for contractors and the indefinite strike by granite quarry owners.
