Nagpur: Rs 4.16 crore approved for Vayoshri scheme though only Rs 1 crore received, Abhijeet Jha asks NMC

Questions have been raised in the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) over spending on the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana. Standing committee member Abhijeet Jha asked how spending of more than Rs 4.16 crore was approved when the NMC had received only Rs 1 crore.

The issue was raised at the NMC standing committee meeting on Monday. Jha sought answers from the administration on the approval of the expenditure, the shortage of funds and the pending payments to contractors.

He asked why the administration allowed spending beyond the available amount when it knew there was not enough money to pay the contractors' bills.

The matter concerns the implementation of the Centre's Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana, 2021, including the camps held to distribute assistive devices to senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Under the scheme, distribution camps were held in Nagpur by assembly constituency.

The NMC had expected to receive Rs 2 crore through the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (Alimco). However, it is said to have received only Rs 1 crore. Even so, the then NMC commissioner and administrator had approved spending of Rs 4,16,58,000 on the programme.

According to the financial details placed before the discussion, the NMC has paid contractors Rs 98,58,384 out of the money received. Bills worth Rs 3,02,27,081 are still pending. The pending payments have raised questions over the financial planning and approval process followed in implementing the scheme.

Jha wanted to know why a spending commitment beyond the available budget was allowed and how the administration would pay the remaining liability.

To clear the dues, the NMC has made a provision of Rs 2 crore in the 2026-27 budget under the head "Antyodaya Yojana, assistance to persons with disabilities". The amount has been included through the standing committee as a pending liability. However, the provision is less than the pending bills of more than Rs 3.02 crore stated by the contractors, so the question remains how the balance will be paid.

The issue has drawn attention to the NMC's process for approving expenditure, especially on schemes where money is expected to come from outside agencies. Jha asked on what basis a financial commitment far exceeding the money received was approved.

The discussion also showed a need to clarify whether any promise of additional funds lay behind the spending, and what arrangements had been made to pay the pending liability. A detailed response from the administration to the questions raised at the meeting was not available.