JOIN USZP President Lalitha Prakash presented a Rs 703.84 crore budget for the year 2015-16, in Mandya, on Tuesday.
The ZP chief said, it included Rs 117.50 crore earmarked for ZP programmes, Rs 101.23 crore for Taluk Panchayats and Rs 25.37 crore for Gram Panchayats.
The budget had drawn flak from the members for reducing allocation of funds for agriculture and sericulture, which are the main occupations in the district.
While Rs 87 lakh was allocated for Agriculture last year, it has been reduced to Rs 73 lakh. Sericulturists, who expected more funds, were disappointed as the ZP has allocated Rs 48 lakh, same as in the previous year.
The department of Youth Services and Sports, which was allotted Rs 119.30 lakh last year has got Rs 82.70 lakh, despite a large number of sports persons from the district recognised in national and international arena.
A majority of the members expressed disappointment over less funds allotted for Agriculture. Raitha Sangha leader A L Kempugowda said, most of the people in the district depend on agriculture, but the ZP has neglected it.
Shankaregowda said, a meeting of ZP members and organisations should be convened for discussions prior to the budget meeting. If suggestions had been sought and implemented, a better budget could have been presented, he opined.
Backward communities
Priority has been given to welfare of backward communities and the funds have been raised to Rs 14.68 crore from Rs 9.74 crore last year. Similarly, funds from Women and Child Welfare has been increased to Rs 33.55 crore from Rs 30.12 crore.
Expenses
Out of Rs 424 crore for the year 2013-14, expenses shown was Rs 411 crore. For the year 2014-15 both resources and expenditure are Rs 454.78 crore, which has surprised the members.
General meeting
Meanwhile, the ZP general meeting held to discuss public grievances concluded in just 45 minutes. Most of the discussion focussed on drinking water problems and the need to tackle it during summer.
ZP CEO Rohini Sindhuri directed Cesc authorities to provide power connection to drinking water projects, on priority. The meeting observed one minute silence, condoling the demise of IAS officer D K Ravi.