Indian Express 05.05.2010
Four months on, civic body’s vision document idea still stuck
Ajay Khape Tags : annual budget Posted: Wednesday, May 05, 2010 at 0354 hrs
Pune: It’s another example of poor implementation of a good idea. Almost four months after the municipal commissioner announced the concept of a vision document for citizens to keep track of promises made by each department of the civic body in the annual budget, few have submitted it and not one is ready with a copy that could be made available to the public for scrutiny.On January 15, Municipal Commissioner Mahesh Zagade had introduced the concept to ensure that plans made in the budget are effectively implemented. Each department had been directed to declare their vision for the year and the steps they would take for initiating or executing projects, complete with a timeframe for each work.
Most of the departments have not prepared the document. Those who have drafted it have been asked to rework it to finetune responsibilities they will have in the year. “The process of drafting the vision document is on. Few departments have submitted the draft. Others have been asked to do it as early as possible,” said Virendra Jadhavrao, deputy municipal commissioner, appointed to ensure implementation of the budget plans.
In the few vision documents submitted, shortcomings were noted and the departments directed to make relevant changes with a clear plan on the work and the time frame, he said.
Civic activist Vivek Velankar said the head of civic departments not supporting the commissioner’s initiative revealed a sorry state of affairs. “The concept is good and will yield positive results if properly implemented. It will inculcate a professional approach in civic officers as they will have to prove their efficiency by achieving targets set by themselves,” he said.
Deputy Municipal Commissioner Vijay Dahibhate, in charge of the electrical department, said his department had submitted the draft. He said the initiative is commendable as it gives the civic staff a clear roadmap of works they have to carry out in a year. “It sets a target for the department and a challenge to achieve it as planned. It also brings in accountability,” he said.
