Centre releases Rs 278.97 cr SPA
Cutback In SPA Likely To Obstruct Completion Of Several Ongoing Projects
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 01 2015:
After Chief Minister O Ibobi and Works Minister Dr Kh Ratan have acknowledged in public that the state's Special Plan Assistance (SPA) fund for 2014-15 in all likelihood will not be released, the Union Government had sanctioned Rs 278.97 crore for SPA funded projects in the State for the fiscal year.
The amount, which is a drastic reduction from the Rs 450 crore that the State had proposed, was reportedly released by the Centre during the last week of February.
Thus, the government decision to withhold information about the Centre sanctioning the SPA fund for so long has created feeling of suspicion and distrust among both Congress and Opposition MLAs on how fairly the Government plans to invest the fund, sources said.
Moreover, it has been speculated that the cutback in the SPA fund will certainly create obstruction in the completion of several ongoing projects.
Regardless of such fears, the Government had gone ahead with 12 new projects pushing aside several projects which were previously being considered, reliable sources stated.
The Finance Department has chalked out plans to utilize the fund under six sectors.
The first sector is for infrastructural development of JNIMS and a fund of Rs 62 crore has been earmarked for the project.
The fund allocated for the other sectors are Rs 27 crore for Tribal Area Inclusive Growth (Phase I), Rs 60 crore for Tribal Areas Inclusive Growth (Phase II), Rs 10 crore for Sericulture Project (Phase II), Rs 79.9 crore for development of roads connectivity and Rs 40 crore for construction of quarters for Primary Teachers under Autonomous District Council.
According to sources, the 12 new projects to be undertaken under the SPA funding are as follows:
12 NEW PROJECTS UNDER SPA .
o Upgradation of DC to Shija Hospital via Kombirei (Phase II) � Rs 3.15 cr
o Construction of 45m span bridge over Khuga River between Tuithapi and Caanan Veng � Rs 1.39 cr
o Contruction of bridge over Leimakhong River at Khongampat Khunou (Phase II) �Rs 4.14 cr
o Construction of RCC Bridge over Khuga River at Lajangphai Chingchom (Phase II) � Rs 2.42 cr
o Construction of protection work at Nilakuthi (Phase II) � Rs 68 laks
o Construction or RCC bridge over the confluence of Nambul Yangoi Rivers (Phase II) � Rs 5.90 cr
o Construction of approach road of Loktak Downstream project (Phase II) � Rs 57.60 lakh
o Improvement of Leishang Hiden toe wall SH Toe Wall (Phase I)- Rs 6.30 cr
o Construction of diversion road for Airport Expansion - Rs 1.89 cr
o Improvement of Fishery junction to MI Junction including Central School Road � Rs Rs 1.98 cr
o Construction of RCC drain at Mayang Imphal Bazar eastern side � Rs 90 lakhs
o Improvement of MI Karang road �Rs 65.70 lakh .