AMC board passes Rs 4,511-cr budget

The board also approved a strange provision of disposing of open plots smaller than 500 sq metres for AMC’s inability to prevent their illegal occupation.

The board has approved one civic centre and one urban health centre in each ward besides an Arogya Bhavan in place of TB Hospital near Astodia Gate.

The AMC has also accepted its inability to finance all development projects on its own and therefore,the board has approved the proposal for more focus on public-private partnership mode of project execution in coming times. For this,a PPP Cell will be set up in the AMC. Multilayer parking,disposal of solid waste,public transport,gardens,amusement parks and public toilets will be made on the PPP model.

It also approved eight 45-km long model roads in the city at a cost of Rs 113 crore.

The discussion went on along routine lines as both the parties took pains to repeat the proposals and past achievements and failures of each other.

Opposition Leader Badruddin Shaikh and his colleagues made an effective presentation of the fiscal handicaps of the AMC that would retard its pace of progress despite tall claims about growth projections. Receipt of Rs 1,851 crore less than promised from the state government over the past five years has dealt a major blow to municipal finances,to top it,it is not ready to stand guarantee to the AMC for HUDCO loans,Shaikh pointed out among other things.

Standing Committee chairman Bhupendra Patel termed the budget giving shape to BJP’s election agenda under the direct guidance of Chief Minister Narendra Modi and the in-charge minister with a planning to equip the city with facilities of global standards.