The Indian Express 31.07.2013
PMC approves Rs 1 crore to each ward for development
developmental budget of Rs 1-crore for each ward following complaints
from its members that developmental works in the city were not happening
as per expectations. The budget was sanctioned from the total
development budget of Rs 33.5 crore earlier approved by the state
government.
Executive Officer of PMC, O P Sihag, said the funds approved for
each ward will be used for sanitation works and development of parks.
Additionally, it will also be used for construction and repair of roads.
The PMC also decided the Mayor may sanction more funds to the members if the need arises.
Further, it has asked its members to submit estimates related to the development in their areas, which the PMC will review.
The elected members were urging the civic body to allocate Rs 2
crores for each ward, which is more than the developmental budget
approved by the government for the 20 wards under the corporation. The
members were informed they could approach the government for additional
funds.
According to officials, the corporation’s budget for this year is about Rs 68 crore including salaries of employees.
At the meeting the PMC also decided to increase the fee on the maintenance of parks from Rs 1.5 to Rs 3 per square feet.
Earlier the corporation had moved the proposal to increase the
maintenance charge on the parks from Rs 1.5 to Rs 2 which was later
fixed at Rs 3 on the insistence of its members. Elected corporator Lily
Bawa, asked for the fee for maintenance of parks to be increased to Rs
4. However, this proposal was declined.
According to PMC members, the increase had become necessary owing to the increase in labour rates in the city.
Meanwhile, the PMC in its meeting also set up a committee to
decide on the fee being charged on use of parks for community functions.