The Hindu 11.02.2010
Form panels to oversee budget, GVMC told
VISAKHAPATNAM: With the government notifying that the Enforcement of Act No.7 of 2008, Constitution of Area Sabhas Act will become effective from February 6, 2010 and the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department issuing Rules under the Act setting out the procedure for constituting Area Sabhas and Ward Committees any expenditure that is incured hereafter under the Municipal Corporation Budget will be governed by the Act and the Rules framed.
All such expenditure will have to be subject to oversight by the Area Sabhas and Ward Committees as laid down in the Act, Forum for Better Visakha Convener E.A.S. Sarma has said.
Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation should immediately undertake preparatory work to constitute Area Sabhas and Ward Committees, undertake orientation programmes to familiarise them with their statutory functions and provide area-wise and ward-wise break up of the budget estimates to facilitate the process of oversight by Area Sabhas and Ward Committees, the former IAS officer said.
The FBV would be happy to extend its cooperation to GVMC in this effort.
The Law, Economics and Social Sciences Departments of Andhra University should be involved in this effort.
The Administrative Staff College of India, Hyderabad, has a strong centre of urban studies and it could also be associated.
Mr. Sarma hoped GVMC would act fast on forming the panels.
