Nagpur: Questioning the lack of details on actual utilisation, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s Standing Committee has sent back a proposal seeking approval for ₹88.61 lakh incurred on machinery hired for Ganesh idol immersion.
Four heavy machines with a 25-tonne capacity and a 40-foot boom were used for 900 hours, according to the proposal submitted by the mechanical department. Besides, 9-12 tipper trucks were hired for 1,215 hours, while eight cranes with a 15-tonne capacity were proposed for 720 hours. The total estimated expenditure stood at Rs88,61,970. However, committee members questioned how the department arrived at the estimate of 900 hours for the four machines, pointing out that the figure appeared excessive and unrealistic when calculated as continuous 24-hour operation. DA, tabs approved The panel also approved two key proposals, clearing a Diwali relief package of Rs16.95 crore towards 15 months’ dearness allowance arrears for around 8,000 serving and retired employees. It also cleared a contentious Rs1.48 crore proposal to procure 365 Android tablets for corporators and civic officials.
The mechanical department has not yet released payment for the work. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Nagpur | Silver Rate in Nagpur | Bank Holidays in Nagpur | Public Holidays in Nagpur | Petrol Price in Nagpur | Diesel Price in Nagpur | CNG Price in Nagpur | LPG Price in Nagpur Stay updated with the latest Nagpur news.
Committee chairperson Shivani Dani said the administration failed to furnish a detailed account of the machinery’s hourly utilisation and expenses incurred. Garbage black spots spark outrage Standing Committee members Abhijeet Jha and Wasim Khan said garbage heaps and foul odour continued to plague several areas ahead of Diwali, despite crores being spent on waste management. Jha said they would dump garbage at NMC headquarters and outside the residences of the officials concerned if the problem was not resolved.
The machinery was deployed for immersion arrangements at Koradi, Gorewada, Police Line Takli and Kachhi Visa Ground. Members also flagged the absence of site-wise utilisation details, making it difficult to verify the actual deployment of machinery at individual immersion points. The committee has directed it to submit a fresh proposal detailing the number of days required for pre-immersion preparations, immersion operations and post-immersion cleaning. Officials pointed out that immersion-related work continues for five to seven days after the festival, with debris and waste removal forming a significant part of the operation. Accusing the NMC administration and its waste collection agency of negligence, they demanded immediate action and warned of protests. Download the TOI App.
The proposal was placed before the committee on Friday.