Rs 5-cr push for citizens’ ideas

The citizens had suggested 142 works. The civic administration incorporated 72 of them. As many as 52 suggestions had landed up on the last date of submission. The maximum suggestions are from A divisional ward office. “We have included feasible suggestions in the budget,” civic chief Asheesh Sharma said.

He said his administration was serious in implementing all suggestions. “Citizens’ participation is an important part of democracy and PCMC was committed to ensuring that. Last year,we received 72 suggestions and maximum weightage was given to them,” he said.

Civic officials said though their ideas have been included,a review would be conducted of the area where a facility has been demanded. “If such a facility already exists in the area,we have to disregard the suggestion,” officials said. Sharma said of the 33 gardens citizens have sought,the highest,10,will come up in C ward and nine in A ward.

Sanjeevani Pandey,a social activist,said as compared to 72 citizens who put forth ideas last year,only 52 did it this year (suggestions made by 42 were accepted). Pandey said this was the lack of proper information dissemination.

“Hardly anybody knows PCMC accords priority to citizens’ suggestions. The civic administration should hold meetings in different divisions before making the budget and not wait for citizens to come forward by themselves. This will ensure more participation,” she said.