PMC fails to utilise citizens’ suggested budget
The provision of suggesting civic budget by the citizens in Pune seems to be failing. Pune Municipal Corporation is not able to implement the suggestions, despite having budgetary provisions.
The civic body had launched the initiative of citizens’ participation in the preparation of budget in 2007-08. After the launch, it has seen an increase in participation in the recent few years.
As per the initiative, the citizens can point out works to be done in their wards/areas in Pune city. The suggestions can mainly pertain to maintenance and repairs with small development projects.
The areas specified under this initiative were improvement in road, electricity, buildings, slum-improvement, water supply and drainage. The expenditure on each project should not exceed Rs 5 lakh.
The initiative was taken by NGO Janwani which was a good sign for many citizens to come forward. However, implementation of the projects depend upon each ward office to spend the money allocated for the purpose.
The number of suggestions made were 600 in 2012-2013 and they increased to 3,300 for the coming financial year. Among the areas, road development has the largest share followed by electricity and piped drainage. The largest allocation was made of Rs 3 crore for 2013-2014 has been kept for public works on Nagar Road, Bhavani Peth and Kasba Vishrambaugwada.
PMC has increased the budgetary provision from Rs 26.24 crore in 2012-13 to Rs 36.9 crore for 2013-14. However, when it comes to spending the revenue, it shows a dismal picture.
In 2007-08, it had a budget of Rs 17.62 crore, but the civic body was able to carry out work worth only Rs 11.32 crore that year. Also, in 2008-09 and 2009-10, the PMC spent Rs 20.75 crore and Rs 21.62 crore respectively as against Rs 27.27 crore and Rs 35 crore.
Furthermore, the expenditure came down to Rs 16.55 crore in 2010-11 and Rs 23.28 crore in 2011-12.
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Bhavani Peth, Budgetary provision, Development projects, Kasba Vishrambaugwada, Nagar Road, NGO Janwani, PMC, PMC budget, PMC Pune, projects in Pune, Pune, Pune Municipal Corporation
