Panaji accounts not finalised since 2018

The state has released Rs 268.6 crore to Goa under the Smart Cities Mission, and another Rs 1.9 crore under the AMRUT Mission since April 1, 2018, but for the last four years, Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd (IPSCDL) has not finalised its accounts. The total allocation for the Smart Cities Mission and AMRUT was Rs 590 crore, but after implementation of the project began, IPSCDL revised the budget twice, increasing it by Rs 295 crore. An additional Rs 210 crore was also allocated to IPSCDL, the special purpose vehicle to implement the two flagship missions. When asked about the increase in the allocation, urban development minister Vishwajit Rane said, “Reasons for the revised budget is to meet financial needs of ongoing projects and newly tendered projects of Smart Cities and AMRUT mission.”