Amritsar Municipal Corporation Faces Fund Crisis: Projects Halted, Employees’ Salaries Stalled

Amritsar (Punjab) : The Amritsar Municipal Corporation is facing a severe financial crisis, leading to stalled development projects and unpaid salaries of employees. Due to a lack of funds, several construction companies have halted their ongoing projects, while Grade-3 municipal employees have not received their salaries for months. The situation has worsened with the GST and MTP department funds being blocked, adding to the financial woes of the corporation.

According to officials, the shortage of funds has directly impacted key infrastructure projects, including road construction, sanitation drives, and sewage system upgrades. Construction firms that were engaged in these projects have now withdrawn their workforce, citing non-payment of dues. The incomplete work has led to deteriorating civic conditions in various parts of the city, causing inconvenience to residents.

Municipal employees, especially those in the Grade-3 category, are the worst affected by the crisis. Their salaries have been delayed for months, making it difficult for them to manage daily expenses. Many employees have expressed their frustration, demanding immediate action from the authorities. “We have families to support, and without our salaries, we are struggling to meet our basic needs,” said an affected worker.

Adding to the crisis, funds allocated for the GST and MTP (Municipal Town Planning) departments have also been withheld. This has resulted in delays in approval processes and disrupted municipal governance. Sources suggest that the financial crunch is due to poor revenue collection, increasing municipal debts, and mismanagement of funds.

The opposition parties and local leaders have strongly criticized the municipal administration, blaming it for financial mismanagement and inefficiency. They have urged the Punjab government to intervene and release emergency funds to stabilize the situation. Public dissatisfaction is growing as citizens face deteriorating civic services, including unclean streets, delayed garbage collection, and poor road conditions.

In response, municipal authorities have assured that they are working on resolving the issue. They have requested additional grants from the state government and are exploring ways to improve revenue collection. Officials claim that efforts are being made to ensure that salaries are disbursed soon and pending projects are resumed.

As the crisis deepens, all eyes are on the Punjab government’s next move. If immediate financial support is not provided, the situation in Amritsar may worsen, affecting both employees and the general public.