The Deccan Herald 05.08.2010
BBMP budget to be unveiled on Aug 16
Bangalore, August 4, DHNS:
The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is likely to unveil its Budget for the financial year 2010-11 on August 16. Sources in the Taxation and Finance Committee state that the Budget is now being finalised.
After much delay, the Palike is now likely to propose a citizen-friendly budget for 2010-11. Proposals include free treatment for pregnant women at BBMP Maternity homes, free sweaters to children studying in the Palike schools and other citizen friendly schemes.
In its bid to woo the lower and the middle class of the City, The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also made a proposal to install Sugar and Blood Pressure diagonistic centres for the elderly. Tests conducted at the centres are stated to be free of cost.
On the infrastructure side, the Standing Committee has proposed to carry forth the project to have a eight-lane road from Okalipuram to Khoday’s Circle at an estimated cost of Rs 13 crore. In the budget 2010-11, the Committee has decided to release Rs 10 crore in the first phase for the project. This apart, recommendations are being made to the Council to modernise nearly six to seven dhobi ghats in the City on the lines of the Malleswaram dhobi ghat modernisation. It also has proposed the construction of a flyover from Nagasandra to South End circle. The proposed budget may cost about Rs 35 to 40 crores.
Heritage committee
The Budget proposals, it is understood, will recognise the urgent need to protect the heritage of the City. In its effort to ensure that there is no further demolition and to stem the loss of heritage structures, the Standing Committee is now proposing a Heritage Committee to gauge the age of structures and identify those areas which is witnessing its vast vanishing history.
The environment concerns will also be addressed in the current budget by giving more impetus to lake conservation and erecting tree parks on the outskirts of the City.
