The grant under this Centrally-funded scheme has been increased from Rs 5,482 crore to Rs 6,866 crore for the next financial year but the fund will be distributed in more than 60 cities across the country for their infrastructure development.

This is not all.

The scheme, which was introduced two years ago, has not done any good to Ludhiana.

Although Rs 2,093 crore was sanctioned for the city, so far not even a single penny has been received by the Municipal Corporation.

Hence, the enhancement of the grant seems unrealistic at least for the city.

In 2006, the MC had sent reports of projects costing Rs 3,500 crore with Rs 2,093 crore having being approved in May 2007 but the MC did not get any money for it. The funds were to be used for various projects, including making of ring road, flyovers, houses for slum dwellers, improvement in water and sanitation condition of the city, etc. In other words, the fund was aimed at changing the skyline of the city.

A memorandum of understanding was also signed between the state and Centre in this regard.

However no funds have been received as yet, though last month councillors and some MC officers got two days training to understand the programme.

Meanwhile, MC Commisisoner Vikas Partap confirmed that so far the corporation has received no funds from the Centre.

However, he said, "Our project reports estimating Rs 70 crore have been approved. The approval came in November 2007 and hence we were expecting funds soon.

After waiting for one more week, I will go to the Union Urban Development Ministry for a follow up of the project. In addition to this, another Rs 200 crore have been sent to the Centre for its approval."