MAPUSA
After thrice adjourning the special council meeting to discuss the budget on account of the model code of conduct, the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) on Tuesday finally passed a surplus budget for the financial year 2017-18 which focuses on development schemes and projects
in town.
A provision of Rs 13.5 crore has been made in the budget to embark out various development works in Mapusa.
In a first of its kind, the council has also made a provision of Rs 82 lakh to upgrade street light infrastructure in all the 20 wards of the council.
The council passed a surplus budget proposing an expenditure of Rs 50.30 crore for 2017-18. The budget estimates indicate a revenue surplus of Rs 50 lakh.
“We want to ride the development bandwagon to bring about progress in the town. The council has various projects in mind which will lead to improvement of services and lives of the residents in Mapusa,” said Sandip Falari, chairperson of MMC.
The budget has earmarked Rs 1 crore to carry out development works under the MPLAD scheme. Besides, Rs 2.5 crore has been reserved for solid waste management, which will come from the State and central government grants.
Rs 6 crore has been set aside for various developmental works that will be taken up from grant-in-aid.
Yet again, a sum of Rs 4 crore has been allocated for construction of new projects in town.
For the first time, the council has made a provision of Rs 82 lakh to improve street light infrastructure.
“It means introducing new power lines, shifting of electricity poles and other changes that the power department will carry out,” the chairperson said.
He said the council had received a proposal from the electricity department to improve the electricity network in ward 20.
“The power department had sent a proposal with an estimate of Rs 19 lakh to upgrade street light infrastructure in ward 20. That’s the time we thought we can extend this service to other wards,” Falari said.
The council has also decided to go ahead in developing open spaces wherever land was available and increased the budget for developing open spaces to Rs 1.10 crore.
“Last year we had allotted Rs 1 crore for developing open spaces and took up development of five gardens in town. This year we plan to take up development of another five gardens,” the chairperson said.
On the suggestion of Councillor Rajsingh Rane, the council has decided to increase the allocation of funds for purchase of books and periodicals for the municipal library from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 2.50 lakh.
The council also decided to take steps to recover pending dues from the telecom (BSNL) company for road cutting and collection of Octroi from the government.
Former chairperson, Sudhir Kandolkar and Councillors, Sanjay Mishal and Tushar Tople participated in
the discussion.
