The Hindu 28.03.2013
Steps to secure ISO certification for civic body
Rs.111.91 crore for development work in Malappuram.
Malappuram municipality is taking steps to secure ISO certification, vice-chairperson K.M. Girija said while presenting the civic body’s Budget for 2013-14 said on Wednesday.
The certification could come by next year. The municipality would be raised to the standards of a Corporation in five years. Thrust had been given to drinking water supply, transport improvement, and solid waste treatment, she said. The Budget kept apart Rs.111.91 crore for various development activities. Malappuram would become a first-grade municipality this year.
As much as Rs.5 crore had been earmarked to set up modern abattoirs in Malappuram in two years.
As much as Rs.24 crore would be spent for solid waste treatment. Mobile incinerators would be set up at a cost of Rs.2.16 crore.
Grading
The municipality would offer three-star status to people who implemented waste treatment and rainwater harvesting schemes and set up solar power panels in their buildings. Such people would get privileges, including 10 per cent concession on building tax.
Privilege card holders would get municipal services 25 per cent faster than normal speed. Those who set up solar panels and implemented waste treatment at source would get two-star status. Those who implemented waste treatment alone would get single star status. They would get a tax concession of five and three per cent respectively. As much as Rs.20 crore had been earmarked for the second phase of drinking water scheme in the municipal limits.
The town would have round-the-clock water supply with the implementation of the second phase, Ms. Girija. Girl students would be given martial arts training under a scheme called ‘Penkaruthu.’
The budget allocated Rs.2.60 crore for infrastructure development of schools. A project called Suraksha Valayam will be implemented at a cost of Rs.50 lakh as an aid to the destitute and the indigent. The municipality would implement M-governance scheme from April aimed at making available government services on mobile phones. Applications for new building plans would be received online from next year. Biometric punching device would be installed at the municipal office to register employee attendance, she said.
