Patna, Jan. 21: The transfer of Patna Municipal Corporation’s (PMC’s) key technocrats has stalled execution of several schemes chalked out by them at several wards.

The disruption of the projects has worried the corporators more than the masses they are meant for. Reason: They would have to forfeit the funds allocated to them if they cannot utilise them before the civic body’s budget in March.

The refund of funds would hit the corporators hard, as the projects they promised to execute in their wards would remain incomplete and the voters might not re-elect them.

The corporator of ward number 4, Abha Lata, alleged senior officials in the corporation had been shuffling engineers across various departments so that development works in various wards did not get over on time.

“Before the new budget for the corporation is passed in March, every ward has to spend Rs 15 lakh for development works. The transfer of the engineers and other employees has sent all the schedules for a toss. It has stalled different projects. The transfers have completely upset the work schedule,” she said.

The corporators said the residents complained about the slow pace of the work each time they visited their wards. “The issue has been raised a number of times in board meetings where officials were asked to expedite work under the ward development fund. But the result has been zero,” said a corporator from Kankerbagh area.

The corporators said they were restless because people had high expectations from them. “The PMC ward elections are due within a year. If we do not carry out the development works, with what face will we go to the public asking for votes and why will they elect us to the corporation again?” asked a corporator.

Mayor Afzal Imam, who represents ward number 62 from Patna City, claimed that the corporators got the sum to spend in their wards because of his efforts but he also admitted that several projects had been delayed.

“The estimates are ready but it will take some time before funds are spent for development works as technocrats will take some time to stabilise in their new departments,” said Imam.

Sources in the corporation said all the 72 corporators were given Rs 15 lakh each. The corporators allocate these funds for various works.

Municipal commissioner Manish Kumar was not available for his comments.