Use funds well, say activists
The civic body’s annual budget, which will be presented by municipal commissioner Sitaram Kunte on Monday, will address the problems you encounter daily — from potholed roads, illegal encroachments and inadequate, contaminated water supply tUse funds well, say activists o improper garbage segregation and water-logged streets during the monsoon.
The civic body’s annual budget, which will be presented by municipal commissioner Sitaram Kunte on Monday, will address the problems you encounter daily — from potholed roads, illegal encroachments and inadequate, contaminated water supply tUse funds well, say activists o improper garbage segregation and water-logged streets during the monsoon.
“Considering the large amount of money allocated for amenities in the BMC budget, it is more important than the state budget for the city. Thus, it is vital to ensure that the funds are used effectively and efficiently,” said economics professor Vibhuti Patel from SNDT Women’s University. “There is a need for greater allocation of funds to address the concerns related to waste management, public transport and spaces apart from the overall health of the city,” she added.
The total budget outlay for the year 2012-2013 was Rs26,581 crore, which sources in the civic body said would be less than Rs 30,000 crore this year.
Questioning the magnitude of unused funds in last year’s civic budget, activists and experts have pointed out that there was a need for better understanding of the budget.
“There is no accountability of the unspent money that had been allocated in the budgets of the past few years. Thus, public services have been deteriorating,” said activist Ashok Rawat. “There is also a need to make a provision for the review of all items in the budget every six months.”
Others also said that there was a need for making the budget more citizen-friendly.