Public works department minister Chhagan Bhujbal and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar are at loggerheads over allocation of funds for state road repairs.
Public works department minister Chhagan Bhujbal and finance minister Ajit Pawar are at loggerheads over allocation of funds for state road repairs, thus causing major unrest within the NCP. Pawar said that he has allocated adequate funds to the PWD; Bhujbal has dismissed them as ‘peanuts’.
Sources in the finance ministry told DNA, “A glance at the budgetary allocations shows that Rs700 crore has been set aside for the PWD. It should be enough for projects and road repairs across the state. Even in the additional budget allocations sought in the ongoing monsoon session, the state has accorded highest priority to the PWD.”
However, Bhujbal’s argument is that Rs700 crore is only on paper as release of Rs450 crore is subject to sanction from the 13th finance commission (Centre). Nearly Rs220 crore of the remaining amount goes towards completed projects and works related to various other departments.
The actual amount, which can be availed for improving roads, doesn’t exceed Rs20 crore to Rs30 crore. Pawar, who doesn’t like anybody openly challenging his decisions, is upset with Bhujbal complaining about the paucity of funds.
Highly-placed sources in the NCP said, “At the internal meeting of the organisation Pawar ticked Bhujbal for going public about lack of funds. He told party members who he had given higher priority to PWD that there was no reason for the senior minister to complain.”
However, Bhujbal doesn’t have any regrets as he feels he can’t mislead the assembly.
A senior general secretary in NCP said, “We can’t overlook the fact that when a senior minister like Bhujbal complains about lack of funds for undertaking repair work of state roads, it makes the finance minister’s position vulnerable. The Shiv Sena-BJP alliance is bound to highlight the issue seeking explanation from the finance minister.”
Bhujbal’s supporters, however, said, “He was just stating the facts. Why should Pawar take it personally? Even home minister RR Patil has often talked of having to manage the home affairs within the limited resources and manpower.”
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