MAYOR Dr KP Srivastava is probably the happiest person now. The reason being he along with all mayors in the State got a lease of life till February 12, 2006 following the Allahabad High Court order. He is utilising this period to complete the unfinished work. He shares his views with Pankaj Mishra.
What are your main achievements during your tenure ?
There is no drinking water crisis in any part of the city because of installation of sufficient tube-wells. Nearly 100 mini-tube-wells and 10 big tube-wells have been installed to fulfill the drinking water needs of the city. Whenever people of any locality came to me I sanctioned a tube-well for their area. On the sanitation front we have some constraints. In fact we have 1950 regular sanitary staff at present while we require an ideal strength of 3300. So undoubtedly sometimes it becomes difficult to carry out proper cleanliness drive in the city.
Now what are your priorities ?
Around 30 mini-tube-wells which have already been bored would be made functional. I am also paying attention to improve the condition of streetlights in the city. More light fittings are like to be received by NN to install new and repair dysfunctional streetlights.
What is the present condition of NN finances ?
Since I took over the charge as mayor, the NN staff did not get salary for many months. Now the salary payment has been brought back on the track. As a result the employees' salary has been raised now. However, we receive Rs 1. 48 crore grant from the State Government while Rs 2.50 crore is required for the disbursement of salary to entire staff. We need a minimum of Rs 3.25 crore grant per month to meet out the necessary expenses of ANN. The government has clearly stated to mobilise the financial resources to get Rs 22 crore grant annually.
What is the present condition of NN finances ?
Since I took over the charge as mayor, the NN staff did not get salary for many months. Now the salary payment has been brought back on the track. As a result the employees' salary has been raised now. However, we receive Rs 1. 48 crore grant from the State Government while Rs 2.50 crore is required for the disbursement of salary to entire staff. We need a minimum of Rs 3.25 crore grant per month to meet out the necessary expenses of ANN. The government has clearly stated to mobilise the financial resources to get Rs 22 crore grant annually.
Why the sanitary condition is so pathetic ?
Keeping city clean is the biggest challenge before the NN administration. However I am doing my level best with the support of corporators and NN staff on this front. However owing to improvement in financial condition of NN there is no major hurdle in getting the support of safai karmacharis and other required staff. Besides we have invited tenders for having 500 part time safai karmacharis at the payment of Rs 900 per month for working for four hours daily. The NN has urged the 12th Finance Commission to provide funds to purchase the vehicle to lift garbage containers. Besides, 15 tricycles to carry the garbage from one place to another have already been ordered for purchase. I hope all the senior officials of NN will work as a team for smooth functioning of NN.
Any another plan ?
Our association--Mayor Council--has planned to go to the Supreme Court on the tenure tangle. If we get relief from apex court I would like to finish the incomplete work. However, a Community Hall in ID Hospital in Allahpur and a mini-auditorium in NN premises are going to be constructed soon.