One such project — enhancing the water and sewerage system under Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewable Mission (JNNURM) — has been awaiting approval for over seven months.

The Municipal Corporation hasn’t been able to reach a consensus on appointing a consultant for the project for which the Centre has allocated a grant of Rs 171 crore. But this grant will be released only after the project is approved by the House.

The UT Administration is, meanwhile, drawing flak from the Centre for the delay.

The project is needed to handle the growing population of the city. The water supply needs to be increased and the sewerage system upgraded.

The proposal for the project was reportedly rejected by the Mayor in January and February.

Subsequently, a report informing about the delay was sent from the Commissioner’s office to the UT Administration, which in turn directed that the issue be taken up at the earliest.

The Home Secretary had written: “The Administrator has desired that the project under JNNURM, to the tune of Rs 171 crore, be taken up urgently by the MC, so the same could be sent to the Government of India for the release of funds.”

In May, the agenda was brought to the House and the councillors approved the National Buildings Construction Corporation Limited (NBCC), a central government enterprise, as the consultant.

The consultant was to prepare feasibility reports and then the detailed project report, which was to be submitted to the Ministry of Urban Development.

During the House meeting in June, however, the councillors raised objection over the 10 per cent agency charges NBCC was demanding. They said in Gujarat, where the councillors had gone on a study tour recently, agencies charged only 3 per cent or less.

Once again, the proposal was rejected. Meanwhile, Mayor Kamlesh said that the House is not ready to appoint a consultant without floating a tender.

“The councillors have seen that in Gujarat consultants are appointed at 3 per cent or less agency charges. A decision would be taken only after tenders are floated,” she said.

Municipal Commissioner Dr Roshan Sunkaria said: “The proposal will be taken up for discussion during the House meeting later this month.

There are two options — either tenders will be floated or NBCC be appointed. A final decision would be taken after the

meeting.”

Another decision that the MC has been delaying for some time now is levying taxes to raise funds for the project.

Under JNNURM, 80 per cent of the funds will be given by the Centre, while 10 per cent each will be contributed by the UT Administration and MC.