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Focus on infrastructure development

HYDERABAD: The first draft budget of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) for the year 2008-09 with an outlay of Rs.2,920.86 crore puts emphasis on poverty alleviation and infrastructure development. The total budget outlay for next year is an increase of nearly Rs. 1,000 crore compared to this year’s revised budget estimates for the entire capital region – erstwhile MCH and 12 surrounding municipalities.

Commissioner and Special Officer, C.V.S.K. Sarma, releasing the draft proposals at a press conference on Friday called it a “historic” occasion. Pointing out that the condition of slums was poor, he said Rs. 389 crore has been allotted for improving civic conditions. Another Rs. 645 crore would be spent on housing for the poor under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Scheme (JNNURM). A growing city needs proper infrastructure like new roads, widening etc., or “future generations will not forgive us. So we have also allotted Rs.1,104 crore for it,” said Dr. Sarma.

The budget estimates for Government’s approval shows that the capital expenditure – works estimated or sanctioned for the current year has been a whopping Rs.1,355.81 crore while for next year, it will be a massive Rs. 2,183.99 crore! High allocations of Rs. 494.21 crore has been made for roads, Rs. 127.50 crore for storm water drains while Metro rail works, Bus Rapid Transit System, traffic signals, etc., got Rs. 110 crore.

Additional Commissioner (Finance) B. Ramesh Babu said significant allocations were made for development of parks & playgrounds - Rs. 111.02, municipal markets – Rs. 96.35 crore, flyovers – Rs. 83.80 crore, streetlights – Rs. 63.38 crore, etc.

Officials were also happy to state that just nine per cent was being spent on the salary account as establishment expenses. “Instead of taking in more staff we want to increase our efficiency and put proper systems in place,” said the Commissioner.

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