The New Indian Express 19.01.2010
Rs 50-lakh fund for each ward from next year
HYDERABAD: With allocation of funds for development activities becoming the focal point of the first ordinary meeting of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation held at the civic body’s head office here on Monday, Mayor Banda Karthika Reddy promised not only to release adequate funds to cover the remaining part of the year but also suggested a Rs 50-lakh grant from next year for each corporator to take up works in their respective wards.
The unhygienic conditions of the Chengicharla abattoir and lack of adequate public conveniences, especially for women, were the other issues that dominated the first day’s session.
A majority of the corporators complained about increasing public pressure on them owing to the stagnation of works related to improvement of roads, street lights, storm water drains and sanitation and sought Rs 50 lakh for each ward.
Pacifying the agitated members, the Mayor said Rs 10 lakh would be allocated for each ward for the remaining two months of the year with a provision for additional grants, if necessary. From 2010-11, however, a special budget of Rs 50 lakh for each corporator would be earmarked. The MIM, TDP and BJP corporators complained about the unhygienic conditions at the Chengicherla Modern Slaughter House and wanted the GHMC to take it over for proper maintenance.
Admitting the problem, the GHMC officials said the issue had been taken up with the Andhra Pradesh Meat Development Corporation (APMDC) which looked after the abattoir maintenance.
GHMC Commissioner Sameer Sharma informed the members that the Corporation had written to the authority expressing its willingness to take over maintenance of the slaughter house.
The Mayor said she would move the State government and convene a high-level meeting soon with the APMDC and other departments concerned to discuss the takeover. Many Corporators said that the public, particularly womenfolk, were concerned about the lack of public conveniences within the GHMC limits and wanted the authorities to take up the issue on priority.
The officials responded saying that a survey was on to identify spots to set up public toilets and also find the existing ones in the slums that needed repairs. The survey data would be submitted in the next corporation meeting, they said.
