JOIN USEyeing gains in the Assembly elections, the North Corporation has earmarked over Rs 100 crore in the Budget 2015-16 for the development of 450 unauthorised colonies in its limits – emphasising on the construction of toilets as well as bathrooms for women.
The North Delhi Municipal Corporation has rejected the proposed hike in property tax in the Budget for the next financial year in Standing Committee meeting on Tuesday.
Councillors from both the ruling and oppostion parties opposed new taxes and the hike in the base unit area value of areas under the civic agency.
Finalising the Budget, Chairman of Standing Committee Mohan Bhardwaj said that the Ministry of Urban Development is also in the process to allocate Rs 500 crore for sanitation across Delhi.
“We have earmarked Rs 119 crore for unauthorised colonies under the civic agency, and Rs 1 lakh per colony only for sanitation,” said Bhardwaj.
Asked if the Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled corporation is allocating crores for the development of unauthorised colonies in the Budget 2015-16 eyeing Assembly elections, Bhardwaj said, “The civic agency has allocated funds for the welfare of these colonies in this year’s Budget as well.”
The North Corporation has earmarked Rs 75 lakh each for around 42 unauthorised regularised colonies, he added.
The chairman said that the construction of bathrooms for women is the civic agency’s top priority.
“We want to construct proper toilets as well as adequate bathing space for women especially those who live in jhuggi jhopris,” added Bhardwaj.
The Standing Committee Chairman said there will be no increase in the number of pension beneficiaries. “Neither will the amount of pension be increased,” said Bhardwaj. The next financial year’s Budget will focus on using solar panels in offices.
“The Budget 2015-16 will emphasise on cleanliness of public offices and using electricity generated by installing solar power panels over corporation’s offices,” Bhardwaj said.
Bhardwaj thanked Union Minister of Urban Development Venkaiah Naidu for giving relief against demolition of illegal construction by extending the provisions of National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second Act , 2011 till December 31, 2017.
“By extending the timeline of the provision of the act, the illegal construction developed till June 1, 2014 will not be demolished by the corporation,” he said.