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.