Councillors have no development plan for their wards

The aim was that budgetary provisions could be made in the beginning of the financial year,to ensure that the project is completed. The suggestions had to be submitted by Monday.

Leader of opposition Gurcharan Dass Kalaa claimed he was not in the city,but there was no specific proposal for which he wanted provisions to be made in the budget.

Counicllor Rajesh Gupta said,“I do not know why the proposals were sought. Work like construction of roads is happening in routine so there was no need to ask for specific plans.”

While councillor Harjinder Kaur said that prior to the Mayor asking for proposals,she (Kaur) had already spoken to officials to ensure that her ward projects are included in the budget.

Major areas like maintenance of green belts and construction of V-6 roads have already been discussed.

The decision to invite proposals from councillors had been taken after they had raised the issue in the House. Lamenting that they were never consulted when officials prepared the budget,councillors had demanded that their suggestions be included in the budget.

In fact,it was pleaded that suggestions be invited in October as that would ensure that they are part of the budgetary process.

Councillor Anju Beniwala said there was no major project that has been proposed for her ward. She hasn’t submitted any suggestion either. Former mayor Kamlesh,meanwhile,says she wants funds allocated for a theme park in her ward and upgradation of a stadium.

Give more powers to councillors,says Kamlesh
Congress councillor Kamlesh has submitted a proposal to Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Water Resources Pawan Kumar Bansal to implement 74th amendment in the city which increases the powers of the elected body. This would ensure that more functions come under the purview of the Municipal Corporation. She has also sought the power to write the annual confidential reports (ACRs). Kamlesh says that she has given the proposals to the local MP and was hopeful that some amendments would be made in the Municipal Act.