PMC needs 20 pc cut in development works

In order to cut down its operating expenses, the Pune Municipal Corporation PMC has issued a circular and directed the ward offices and department heads to prioritise the development works for the 2009-10 budget and said that the quantum of development works and monetary allocations should be at least 20 per cent less as compared to the 2008-09 budget.

The chief accountant of PMC, Virendra Jadhavrao has issued the circular on October 21. The circular directs the departmental heads, ward commissioner and ward officers to suggest only those works , which are essential, in the next budget. 8220;The list of proposed works need to be prioritised and should be planned in such a way that these works are completed within a stipulated timeframe.8221; The circular also makes it mandatory for the ward offices to mention the quantum of spillover works. A few months back, PMC had given nod to the ward offices to carry out the development works up to Rs 25 lakh without the permission of the civic administration. Now, the civic administration has directed the ward offices to keep the quantum of works within the limit of Rs 12 crore annually.

Talking to The Indian Express on this move, municipal commissioner Praveensinh Pardeshi said, 8220;Till now, only commissioner used to plan the annual budget. But now, there is decentralisations of power and the ward offices have to plan for the development of the areas under their wards and suggest monetary allocations. Many important works like water supply and sewage remain neglected. If they do not prioritise, many important works might get chopped while planning the budget. 8221; BJP corporator Ujwal Keskar, who made available a copy of this circular to media, however dumped this circular saying, 8220;Asking the ward offices to reduce the quantum of development works next year is a backward step of the civic administration, even though the revenue as well as expenses should increase by the year.8221;