Rs1cr for temple work in Parbhani’s Sonpeth likely to get restored

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The state planning department is likely to restore Rs1 crore sanctioned for the temple work at Sonpeth in Parbhani district.Local NCP MLA Rajesh Vitekar, who was in the eye of storm for cancelling the funds, on Monday wrote a letter to deputy chief minister Sunetra Pawar requesting that the funds for the assembly hall of the temple be issued again. In response, the office of deputy chief minister has issued a necessary communication to the planning department asking it to do the needful.While the money earlier granted for the temple was diverted for drains and other civic work, the residents termed the decision as regrettable and an insult to the faith of the devotees. Vitekar on the other hand accused the ruling party leaders in Sonpeth municipal council for deliberately not executing the tendering process for the construction of temple work despite the current fiscal was nearing the end."The issue was politicised. I had genuine intention to prevent the lapse of funds due to inaction by the local ruling party leaders. I have requested deputy CM's office to restore the funds and hope that the desired assembly hall takes place soon," he said.When contacted, president of Sonpeth municipal council Parmeshwar Kadam said unavailability of land records led to delay in the tendering process. "By the time we could arrange the records, the planning department came out with a GR about cancellation of funds. If the funds get restored, we will ensure the construction of the assembly hall of the temple at the earliest," he said.