Don’t relent, press Centre for funds: Residents to MC

Will low budgetary allocation affect projects in UT?

Budget has given enough funds to UT

The Budget 2020 has given a lot of money to the UT Administration, which still feels it falls short of their demand. The Budget is enough to do welfare work with a focused mind, but is surely not enough for corruption. If the Administration wants to do work, this Budget has given them enough. Officials should make sure that the money allocated is used for the people’s welfare. Funds to be spent on education, maintaining toilets and public places, health facilities, public transport and the Capitol Complex should be set aside.

Saikrit Gulati, Chandigarh

Cut your coat according to cloth

The Central Government has allotted Rs 425 crore Budget instead of Rs 1,350 crore to the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation for the year 2020-21. No doubt, this amount is less according requirement of the City Beautiful. The Municipal Corporation (MC) authorities should remember the proverb “Cut your coat according to your cloth”. The civic body should not start new projects. First, the MC should finish all incomplete projects. It should not spend money lavishly on programmes. The MC should avoid tours for counsellors. The MC should save money from each corner. It should collect revenue and dues from the public honestly. The MC should demand the balance Budget from Central Government and prove that it is genuine.

Sumesh Kumar Badhwar, Mohali

Civic body needs more financial resources

The Chandigarh MC passed Budget with an expenditure of Rs 1,471 crore against the estimated income of Rs 397 crore. Besides Rs 425 crore have been allocated in the Union Budget. The cash starved Municipal Corporation (MC) needs more financial resources. However, the MC should continue with overall development of the City Beautiful. It should find out ways and means to raise funds through auction of parking lots, renting shops under the Taj bridge, underpasses at the Sector 17 bus stand and at Mauli Jagran. Besides, the MC should recover pending tax from 359 buildings occupied by the government. Funds will keep flowing from the Administration/government. Overall development of the city should not be jeopardised due to paucity of funds.

Harish Kapur, Chandigarh

special budgetary provisions for UT

There is no denying that our City Beautiful has always been in the thick of raging controversies for many reasons than one, including the fiscal crunch. To add salt to injuries, the Union Government played a cruel joke with residents of this region this time by allocating a meagre sum of Rs 425 crore as against Rs 1,350 crore demanded by the city Mayor for the year 2020-21. While those managing the affairs of the UT MC need to initiate effective austerity measures to help bring back the beleaguered civic body out of the fiscal mess. The Union Government needs to act magnanimously by enhancing annual budgetary allocations so that pending projects bounce back.

Ramesh K Dhiman, Chandigarh

Explore options for revenue generation

Financial health of the MCC is in such a mess that it has to rely on the Chandigarh Administration even for basic operational expenses. The MCC must raise itself from traditional model of the PPP and coerce the Central Government for autonomy on some more revenue generating departments, which presently are controlled by the UT Administration. There is a need to explore other options for generation of revenue without burdening residents with fresh taxes. Self sustenance can be achieved only by strong and collective will of the entire team of counsellors and officials of the Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh (MCC).

Ravinder Nath, Chandigarh

Central Govt has allocated low Budget

Budgetary allocation of Rs 425 crore by the Central Government against the MC demand of Rs 1,350 crore is abysmally low. It will severely affect developmental projects in the City Beautiful. Find the reason behind faltering in getting a better deal. With such low allocation, the MC will not be able to undertake any meaningful developmental project. The MC requires huge funds for re-carpeting roads, which are in bad shape. Old infrastructure is not getting required attention because of paucity of funds at the MC’s disposal. The city MP and others should make concerted efforts to get a better allocation for Chandigarh.

Bharat Bhushan Sharma, Chandigarh

MC should use funds judiciously

The MC is unlikely to carry out development, repair or maintenance works without having sufficient funds in hand. Wisdom lies in using funds diligently. Priorities work that needs immediate attention. Planning, monitoring and setting the deadline for the completion can give desired results. The action of the authorities concerned, which makes lives of city residents comfortable, is always appreciated.

Veena Mahajan, Chandigarh

Effective presentation be made to Centre

It’s quite surprising that against the Chandigarh MC demand for Rs 1,350 crore for 2020-21 the Union Government gave only Rs 425 crore, which is 33 per cent of the projection. The Chandigarh MC is already facing financial crises. Drastic cut in Budget allocation will adversely affect the completion of ongoing projects, maintenance of essential services and disbursal of salaries to the staff. An effective presentation should be made to the Central Government for sanction of more funds. Also, the issue should be perused by the UT Administrator and the MP, who represents City Beautiful. Till such time adequate allocation is made, the MC authorities must be judicious in spending. The civic body must ensure no frivolous expenditure is incurred on activities like study tours, extravagant civic functions and maintaining VIP culture.

SS Arora, Mohali

Seek funds from UT Administration

The theoretical presentation of the Budget inspires as usual. The problem start when tangible results never transpire. Being a Union territory, the MC grant-in-aid is managed by the Central Government. The MC had sought Rs 1,350 crore, but was allocated Rs 425 crore. Expectations were high. Therefore, the MC is bit disappointed as its own revenue estimate is Rs 397 crore, which will merely make up for its salary and other unavoidable expenses. Hence, due to lack of funds the MC will not be able to serve residents of the city. Most projects started in the past are still incomplete. City roads are in bad shape. The MC has no other option except to ask the UT Administration for additional funds.

Vidya Sagar Garg, Panchkula

Weed out corruption

In the absence of an elected government, dominance of bureaucracy and differences among political leaders have led to the authorities failure to justify requirement of funds for the development of the city. Adequate funds were sanctioned for the upgradation of the international airport on the intervention of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The MC should have political will to take and execute key decisions for faster revenue generation. Most important is to prevent mismanagement of funds and weed out corruption. MPs from Mohali and Panchkula should also support the city’s representative in Parliament to raise the issue for the allocation of additional funds with the Centre as Chandigarh is gateway of both Punjab and Haryana.

Col Balbir Singh Mathauda(Retd), Chandigarh

Use proper channel to demand funds

The UT Municipal Corporation sought Rs 1,350 crore, but was allotted only Rs 425 crore, which is quite abnormal. The MC should project its demand through proper channel to impress upon the Central Government to sanction the remaining amount. The UT Administrator is the supreme authority of the City Beautiful, who has a say in the Central Government. Pending projects will definitely affect the development of Chandigarh. Dilapidated roads have to be re-carpeted immediately to prevent fatal accidents. Above all, the MC is fund starved. So, the Mayor should not plan any tours, which is wastage of government exchequer. Residents must not be burdened as they are already paying hefty taxes.

MR Bhateja, Nayagaon

Funds enough if intentions are clear

What further negative impact of criticised low Budget may forthcome than the MC’s existing ‘dismal’ performance? Budget allocation of Rs 425 crore is sufficient for capital and revenue expenditure. More, especially when the MC is cleverly augmenting income by levying taxes and auctions. Councillors are crying for their own recreational expenditure. Keeping austerity on their merry making, they will find new Budget allocation enough. When intentions are clear, any amount is enough. Becoming gentlemen/women, councillors should dedicatedly serve residents of the City Beautiful.

MPS Chadha, Mohali

Curtail cost of governance

It needs no rocket science to delve on the question that provision of only Rs 425 crore (Rs 50 crore up over the 2019-20 fiscal) against Rs 1,350 crore sought for the Chandigarh MC will now adversely impact projected growth. It’s well said that you will continue getting what you have been getting if you continue doing what you have been doing. The bane of Chandigarh’s unique setup is the multiplicity of power centres that costs the exchequer dearly. Budgets will always be in short supply unless cost of governance is drastically curtailed. It can only be done by reverting to Chief Commissioner, or may be Lt Governor governance model and doing away with the MC white elephant and scores of advisory committees. It’s high time the Union Home Minister rids the UT of top heavy politico-bureaucratic imbroglio to save on the cost of governance. Unproductive paraphernalia eats away scarce funds.

Lalit Bharadwaj, Panchkula

Draw master plan for MC

Development projects in the City Beautiful, including re-carpeting dilapidated roads, will certainly suffer because the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation got Rs 425 crore from the Government of India against Rs 1,350-crore Budget. However, the problem is not confined to funds crunch. It is largely a problem of lack of professional approach to designing, building, and maintenance of all kinds of projects. Why, because MCC does not have an adequate establishment served by experts. Other factor that leads to enormous wastage of funds is piecemeal planning and half-hearted, unsupervised implementation of development projects. The third thing is the wastage incurred by feudal mindset in which ruling takes precedence over serving with palpable respect for taxpayers’ money. Unless a comprehensive master plan for the entire term of the MCC is drawn, discussed and approved with advice from experts more money would be wasted.

DR SS BHATTI, Chandigarh

Address UT funding issue with alacrity

The UT infrastructure and Budget are not enough to keep pace with the ever increasing migratory population. Ninety five per cent of the MCC Budget is under the revenue head, which can only be utilised for payment of salaries, recurring expenditure and day-to-day running of the UT Administration. Finance Minister needs to address the UT funding issues with alacrity. With new Mayor in the saddle, 2020-21 should be, hopefully an year of development.

Rajiv Boolchand Jain, Zirakpur

Our views don’t matter

The common man is not interested in Budget allocation of the Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh. He is concerned about facilities, comforts and safety. Either the Administration or the MC should provide these services. Let them fight for money. Nothing is going to happen with our views or thinking. The common man today is struggling to make both ends meet in every walk of life. He doesn’t have time to even think of such things.

RK Kapoor, Chandigarh

UT admn should allot funds to mc

Our Member of Parliament should press the Central Government to allocate more funds otherwise development projects in city will suffer. The budgetary allocation of Rs 425 crore for the MC is insufficient. The Chandigarh Administration should allocate more funds to the Municipal Corporation for atleast taking up repair of roads, parks and buildings. The Electricity and Water Works departments should increase tariffs to meet the expenditure for the development works.

Tarlok Singh, Mani Majra

Sanction funds as and when required

Extra funds from the Central Government are needed as Chandigarh comes under the Smart City Project. The government allocated one third of the Budget, which is actually shameful. Funds are required for development. If delayed, development projects will stop and the cost of inputs will increase. So, allocation of funds should be as and when required.

Avinash Goyal, Chandigarh

Centre must rethink on allocation

Rs 425 crore Budget instead of Rs 1,350 crore allotted by the Central Government for Chandigarh is almost one third of the demanded amount. This is clearly injustice. Deep cut by the Centre Government is not justified. The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation is already going through financial crisis. The said cut in Budget will hamper all development projects in the City Beautiful, especially the re-carpeting of dilapidated roads. The Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh, will have to create its own income sources. The Central Government must rethink on its allocation of funds for the UT. As Chandigarh is capital city Punjab and Haryana, so it must have a lion’s share in the Central Government funds.

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi, Chandigarh

MC should generate its own income

When the local MP and Mayor are from the BJP party, the logic of the Union Finance Minister behind cutting the proposed allocation of Rs 1,350 crore to Rs 425 crore cannot be understood. This question should be addressed by local MP Kirron Kher. Will she and Mayor justify this? How will the MCC manage burning issues of development, including potholed roads. The MCC has to utilise the meager amount judiciously. Money should not be spent on councillors’ tours, festivals and illogical advertisements. The local BJP MP must approach the Union Finance Minister for reconsidering fund allocation. The UT MC should make concerted efforts to generate its income and curtail expenditure on non-productive purposes.

Capt Amar Jeet Kumar (retd), Mohali

Need to become self-reliant

The MCC is known for mismanagement and bad governance for decades altogether. There is no control on expenditure. The cost of governance is increasing unabatedly. The manpower has not been rationalised and reduced. The salary of every official, including contract workers, should be linked to monthly performance. No efforts have been made to curtail corruption. Management audit by third party should be conducted on top priority to stem the rot. All these measures, if implemented religiously will save crores every month.

KC Rana, Chandigarh.

Additional Funds to maintain UT’s status

The City Beautiful, the only planned city of India, needs sufficient Budget to maintain its status and for further and continual improvements. The Finance Ministry allocates funds to states and Union Territories based on population and future projects to be undertaken. But, some UT’s like Chandigarh need special allocation due to its status. Chandigarh is capital two states and bears huge expenditure on the PGI and other institutes. Additional allocation may go a long way in maintaining the status and upkeep of other services like roads in UT.

Wg Cdr Jasbir Singh Minhas (retd), Mohali

A paradox of highest order

Soon after the allocation of grants-in-aid for our City Beautiful, UT Adviser reportedly hailed the eight per cent increase this time terming it as generosity of the Centre. He went to the extent of thanking the MP, Kirron Kher, for such a munificence. Even the newly elected city BJP chief, Arun Sood, felt happy about the hike in budgetary allocation. Now, if the MC has just got Rs 435 crore as against its requirement of Rs 1,350 crore in this Budget, residents should be prepared for further holes in their pockets as the MC will hike tariffs to meet the shortfall. City Mayor approaching the UT Administrator for more funds and Arun Sood’s post-Budget elation have created a paradox. City residents deserve a clarification on this confusion.

SC Luthra, Chandigarh

Use funds judiciously

Whatever funds UT has got should be used judiciously and priority wise keeping in mind the fulfillment of basic amenities. The MC should stop spending lavishly on tea parties and events like Rose Festival and Chrysanthemum Show. Study tours of councillors must be banned. Main focus should be on re-carpeting of roads, streetlights, traffic lights, parking facilities and reduction of traffic congestion rather than dreaming of big projects.

Abhilasha Gupta, Mohali

Don’t neglect southern sectors

The Central Government has allotted Rs 425 crore for the development of the City Beautiful. These funds should be used judicially for the development based on priorities like re-carpeting of roads, regular water and electricity supply and waste disposal. A quality audit should be conducted frequently to ensure that funds are not misused. All sectors of City Beautiful should get equal share in development rather spending more on VIP sectors and neglecting southern sectors.

Col TBS Bedi (retd), Mohali

Not satisfied with allotted Budget

Already the MC is struggling financially and the Union Budget did not bring the much-needed monetary relief for the civic body. It will definitely affect development in Chandigarh. Projects of the MC will remain pending. No new schemes for unemployed youth will be launched. The MC cannot serve city residents without sufficient funds.

Vijay Malia, Chandigarh

Civic body needs sufficient funds

It’s good that the Budget outlay for Chandigarh has increased by 8.1% from the previous year with housing sector being the biggest gainer and recording nearly 29% growth in funding. However, no new project was announced. Hopes of the MC, Chandigarh, have been dashed as it didn’t get the share in Budget, which the authorities had asked for. The MC needs sufficient funds to maintain roads, parks, buildings and other infrastructure facilities run by the civic body.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali