There are more than 30 community centres in the city and new ones are being constructed. However, their maintenance proves to be a problem. A proposal has been mooted by councillor Chander Mukhi Sharma and will be discussed at the House Meet scheduled this month.

It was earlier decided that community centres will be run by the governing committees by getting members enrolled and funds for maintenance will be taken from the revenue collected from functions, etc.

The proposal states, “The meager contribution made at social functions is insufficient to sustain the recurring and maintenance cost. Therefore, it is proposed that fresh policy be formed to make the working of the governing committees economically viable and to sustain the maintenance of these community centres, keeping the aesthetic value thereof.”

Governing committees are created when the number of members is at least 50. The area councillor is the chairman of the committee and the other members are elected. A problem that is being faced at most of the community centres is the lack of caretakers, gardeners and other staff required for the upkeep. A common grouse of residents is that most community centres are in shambles.

Sharma said, “Staff should be deployed permanently at the community centres. Crores are being spent on construction of the community centres. There is a need for these centres to be able to finance themselves.”