In a letter to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs,UT Finance Secretary has demanded additional funds of Rs 300 crore from the Centre for the current financial year. The demand has been put forth keeping in view the presentation of the Union Budget,scheduled for July 3. The Administration had projected an outlay of Rs 600 crore under the plan category when the government presented the interim budget earlier this year. However,Rs 300.35 crore was allocated under the plan head,while Rs 1,849 crore was allocated under the non-plan head. As against the Rs 122.28 crore demanded under JNNURM,only Rs 66.53 crore was allocated. The letter states that in view of the healthy surplus contributed by the Administration to the Consolidated Fund of India and to maintain continuity of the development activities already initiated,the Administration urgently requires additional funds over and above the Budget Estimates. An amount of Rs 50 crore has been demanded to establish an aquatic park,recently approved by the Centre,and to increase the green cover. The Administration also wants Rs 55 crore for widening roads,upgrading infrastructure,augmentation of water supply system and strengthening the transport system. In the last financial year,initially Rs 304 crore had been allocated under the plan head,which was later revised to Rs 488.65 crore. This had snowballed into a major poll issue with political parties alleging a reduction in the plan allocation this year. However,the Congress had assured that since only an interim budget was presented,the amount was likely to increase.
