The Pioneer 10.12.2010
MCD faces twin challenges of reform, developmentPNS | Dehradun
Although 12 years have passed since the formation of the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun, its organisational structure and resources have remained more or less the same as that a decade ago.
However, the MCD is trying to meet the expectations of the public by facilitating different development works and executing efforts aimed at improving civic life in Dehradun, Mayor Vinod Chamoli said.
Chamoli was addressing the media on the occasion of the 12th anniversary of the foundation of MCD on Thursday.
Speaking on the developments achieved by MCD, the Mayor said that major urban development projects are being undertaken. A solid waste management facility is being built at a cost of Rs 24.6 crore under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. The MCD has facilitated renovation and repair work on roads, sewers and parks in addition to approving the renovation of the historical town hall. A sum of ` 10 lakh each has been sanctioned for renovation of two cremation grounds in Dehradun and ` nine lakh has been provided for renovation of a Statehood agitators' martyr memorial.
Additionally, the MCD will soon start different tasks at its two zonal offices in Dharampur and Rajpur areas so that people can conveniently pay their municipal bills in these offices. Another important development is that the MCD website will start operating in an updated format with the start of the next year. This will allow citizens to avail of some municipal services like birth and death registrations online from January 1, 2011.
The Mayor said that though many important proposals have been passed by the MCD board, the same have either been scuttled or are pending with the State Government. The board had passed the self-assessment system of building tax calculation which would have proved beneficial to both the public and itself but it has been stalled by the Government.
Similarly, implementation of the advertisement hoarding policy passed by the MCD to prevent the city from being overrun by advertisement boards has also been prevented by the Government. Additionally, the proposals sent by the MCD to the Government regarding appointment of additional officials and sanitation workers are also pending.
The implementation of the 74th Amendment Act will greatly help in improving the functioning of MCD and also benefit the public. But the State Government is yet to facilitate implementation of this Act.
