Indian Express 24.02.2010
Budget brings cheer to disabled
Tarun Nangia Tags : corporation, budget10 Posted: Wednesday, Feb 24, 2010 at 0628 hrs
Pune: The PCMC, in this year's budget, has set aside Rs 6 crore for the disabled. They will be provided computer training as well as equipment needed for their movement. In addition, they would also be given training in various other skills so that they can be self-employed.Three per cent of the commercial space to be sold in the business centre to be built by the PCMC would be reserved for the disabled. They would also get free treatment at hospitals run by the PCMC and free passes for travelling by PMPML buses. A section of the disabled population in the city would also be eligible to get financial assistance .
The budget has brought cheers to civic employees as they would now get their salaries based the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission, taking the salary bill to Rs 282 crore.
In addition, the civic body plans to spend Rs 22 crore for women-oriented schemes, the ward offices would be given the authority to approve works requiring expenditure upto Rs 10 lakh. A helpline will be started for people to give information about water supply issues. PCMC would keep a record of all the complaints and follow them up.
PCMC has earmarked Rs 95.46 crore for the medical department and Rs. 73.89 crore to the health department in the budget. A cancer hospital is being planned in the city on PPP basis.
The capacity of the swine flu wards will also be increased for which Rs. 1.5 crore has been alloted. The health department has planned to implement a project for mechanised collection and disposal of garbage. The PCMC plans build first aid clinics at Rahtni, Kasarwadi, Kivale, Charoli, Bopkhel and Punawale. Sharma said greater focus has been laid on ward level works worth Rs 160 crore in addition to the JNNURM projects.
