Pune: The District Planning Committee (DPC) has made significant changes to previously approved development projects. According to sources, over 150 projects have already been modified through amendment proposals, raising concerns over procedural transparency.
For the past month, the process of modifying approved works has accelerated. Public infrastructure and other sectoral works have been altered and approved without following standard legal procedures.
The Zilla Parishad is responsible for compiling the list of projects and forwarding them to the District Planning Committee for approval. As per regulations, once projects are approved, any modifications must be sent back for re-approval by the Zilla Parishad General Body and the DPC. However, instead of following this process, changes are reportedly being made directly through amendment proposals, bypassing required approvals.
Why Are Projects Being Modified?
Officials claim that ground-level challenges sometimes necessitate changes in project locations. Since the required funds are already allocated, altering the project sites ensures that the budget is utilized for village development rather than being returned unused.
An official stated, "At times, the original site of a project poses practical difficulties. In such cases, modifications are made so that the funds remain useful for the village's development instead of being surrendered."
Meanwhile, the Zilla Parishad has begun implementing the works listed in the DPC-approved project booklet. So far, around 180 to 190 projects have been altered through amendment proposals.
However, these changes have faced resistance from local representatives, who argue that:
The modifications were not recommended by the Zilla Parishad General Body.
The statutory process for project changes has not been followed.