The Times of India 13.03.2013
Corp budget: Citizen to the fore this year
KOCHI: Having hit roadblocks with ambitious ventures earlier, the Kochi
corporation budget for 2013-14 will limit itself to viable and
"people-friendly initiatives" rather than on large-scale projects. The
local body has already held discussions with prominent individuals and
experts and taken their views for preparing the budget to be presented
on March 22. Confirming the date, mayor Tony Chammany said, "The preparations are on track and we have done our homework." Deputy mayor B Bhadra, who is also the chairperson of the finance committee, will present the budget.
Though the local body did not invite organizations and NGOs for the
pre-budget meeting this year, they have interacted with individuals to
get a "more practical and realistic view". According to her, they will
not include too many large-scale projects, and the focus will be on
implementing projects that are outlined in the budget. "You can expect
new people-friendly projects in the budget. The corporation will not
repeat any programmes listed in the previous budget. We will provide an
update on the ongoing projects and briefly explain the status of
remaining ones," said Bhadra.
Meanwhile, opposition councillors alleged that they were not consulted during budget preparations. They stated that the local body had not implemented the projects that were to be completed before March 31.
Training their guns on the ruling front, the opposition will raise the issue of corporation's failure in filing a police complaint on the fire at Brahmapuram waste treatment plant in the next council. The local body has not carried out any investigation as promised, they alleged. "These are serious lapses by the corporation. The mayor has not convened a council meeting since February 11. Many issues that require immediate attention like waste disposal at Brahmapuram have not been discussed The mayor and his team are taking unilateral decisions on serious issues," opposition councillor K N Sunil Kumar claimed. Responding to these charges, the deputy mayor promised to address these concerns at the next council meeting to be held on March 14.
Meanwhile, opposition councillors alleged that they were not consulted during budget preparations. They stated that the local body had not implemented the projects that were to be completed before March 31.
Training their guns on the ruling front, the opposition will raise the issue of corporation's failure in filing a police complaint on the fire at Brahmapuram waste treatment plant in the next council. The local body has not carried out any investigation as promised, they alleged. "These are serious lapses by the corporation. The mayor has not convened a council meeting since February 11. Many issues that require immediate attention like waste disposal at Brahmapuram have not been discussed The mayor and his team are taking unilateral decisions on serious issues," opposition councillor K N Sunil Kumar claimed. Responding to these charges, the deputy mayor promised to address these concerns at the next council meeting to be held on March 14.
