The Pioneer 29.11.2010
Speed up reforms for development works: Mayor to MCD officialsPNS | Dehradun
Dehradun Mayor Vinod Chamoli has directed officials of the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun to speed up the implementation of reforms required for execution of urban development works with funds under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).
While presiding over a meeting held over the weekend to review the execution of works by various MCD divisions, the Mayor directed officials to implement the double entry system of accounting and facilitate the various services online as a part of e-governance with the start of the next year. However, observers state that the implementation of such measures introducing the use of double-entry system and e-enabling has also been ordered at least a year ago with limited effect.
It may be recalled that the execution of reforms ordered by the Mayor in the functioning of the MCD is vital for utilisation of the crores of rupees received from the Central Government under the JNNURM. Nearly a year ago, the Mayor with the consent of the MCD Board had ordered the implementation of reforms, including the use of double entry system of accounting and provision of various facilities on-line on the official MCD website. However, so far none of these measures have been implemented by the MCD.
In the recent past, the MCD leader of opposition, Congress councillor Ashok Verma had warned that the opposition would not allow the MCD Board meet slated to be held on December 15 to progress unless the work done on orders issued so far is discussed with board members. Over the weekend the Mayor presided over a meeting with divisional officials to review the work done so far on orders issued in the past. The Mayor directed that the use of double entry system of accounting should be started by January next year while other facilities like online provision for birth/death certificates and property tax should also be made available in the near future.
The facility for payment of building tax bills through banks and installation of closed circuit television cameras in the MCD office complex should also be facilitated in the near future, added the Mayor. However, councillors state that similar directions had also been issued by the Mayor about a year ago. However, so far no action has been taken by MCD officials in spite of the importance of the works ordered. It remains to be seen whether the latest instructions of the Mayor are followed effectively enough to satisfy the opposition so that the MCD Board meeting session is not prevented from progressing due to protest.
