Urban News

“At least 50 per cent of the works mentioned would be completed within our term,” said P N Sadashiva, Chairman, Finance and Taxation Committee. He said most of the works would start at the earliest and the rest would spill-over to the next year’s budget.

Meanwhile, the zonal heads have also been asked to send the programme of works to the commissioner, which has to be reviewed and then discussed in the standing committee before being approved by the council — a process that could take weeks or even months.  

Mayor S K Nataraj, on August 30, 2010, presented a budget of `8,848 crore, though there was only `424 crore with the Palike. The ruling party banked on the state government for grants of nearly `1500 crore but it is yet to be announced by the government. The Palike also hoped to get `800 crore from Akrama-Sakrama scheme that still awaits the Governor’s approval.

However, Sadashiva said, “Now that the government approved the budget, it is binding on them to give us the promised grant.” He also said that the Akrama-Sakrama scheme has only been temporarily sent back and would be approved at the earliest.  

Expressing doubts about the works being completed on time, Opposition leader in the council, M Nagaraju said, “Not even 10 to 15 per cent of the promised works will be completed by the ruling party.” He said though they had expected to get over `2000 crore as grants from the government and from the Akrama-Sakrama scheme, so far nothing was sanctioned.

“The CM and the Mayor got the budget approved, uncertain of whether the government would survive the confidence vote,” he said adding that the Congress  would submit a detailed complaint to the Governor, pointing out the irregularities in the council.