VMC gets Rs 60-cr from JNNURM funds

The officials of the cash-strapped Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) heaved a sigh of relief when Chief Minister K Rosaiah released Rs 60 crore on Tuesday under JNNURM (Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission) to meet the urgent requirements of the civic Corporation.

According to city Mayor Ratna Bindu, the aid would be utilised for the rehabilitation of flood victims residing along the river bed besides speeding up the ongoing development works. This sudden development has rejuvenated the officials and the ruling party corporators as the development works took a backseat due to the non-payment of bills to the contractors.

The Government, recently sanctioned Rs 15 crore for streamlining water supply under the JNNURM. A big part of the Rs 60-crore aid would be utilised for the housing scheme.

Commissioner Ravibabu played a pivotal role in getting the funds sanctioned as he made frequent trips to Hyderabad and apprised the situation to the Chief Minister and other officials concerned. The Mayor exuded confidence that this would be a fillip to the developmental works.

She thanked the Chief Minister, district incharge Minister Ramnarayan Reddy, MP Lagadapati Rajagopal and MLA Malladi Vishnu for using their offices in getting the funds.