Bengaluru: With a parade deadline for the utilization of the 60 lakh RS allocated for each of the respective 198 ward development committees that are approaching, groups led by residents in a hurry to submit a development proposal that aims to provide facelifts to their respective wards.
Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanaagara Pulike (BBMP) has been in August set a precedent by setting aside Rs 120 Crore for the Environment Committee after more than 9,000 residents submitted input for the #MycityMyBudget campaign to be spent.
“After we receive the citizen budget input, we want to incentive to the population to participate in their women’s affairs by giving them the opportunity to decide,” said the Special Commissioner of the BBMP (Finance) ThuSi Maddineni, while participating in the webinar titled MyCityMyBudget Phase – 2 organized by Janaagraha on Saturday.
He said: “Distributing Rs 60 lakh to each environmental committee is an act of faith in our citizens.” The amount is divided into rs 20 lakh each under three categories – trails, holes and borewells.
“Citizens can submit their input in the Environment Committee, which will help us decide where work needs to be taken and where to use funds,” he added.
The money should be utilized at the end of March.
While most wards have not seen the committee in action, there are several who have developed a development plan.
Sharing their views, Amith Nigli and Christopher Cruz from Banaswadi (Ward 17) explain how they formulate plans to identify vulnerable roads.
Poongothai and Poongothai author of Gottigere (Ward 194) said they took advantage of the Walkability index prepared by Janagraha to identify the path and the path that needed the most attention.
Jagadish Reddy, a member of the Varthur Ward committee said: “We are still planning with the committee on how to use this fund correctly.
During the Walkability index process, the survey revealed there was no single path inside and around Varthur which could be used and thus we decided to do it .
“Join him, Lalitha Mohan Radhakrishna Temple (Ward 18) said:” We focused on two factors with respect to the footpath – the proximity to the school environment and the road connecting.
” Srinivas Alavilli, Head, Civic’s participation, Janagraha, said it was very important to use this opportunity and prove what a group could do.
“We educate people and communities about the need for an environmental committee.
We urge more citizens to be involved locally and taste the power of involvement and community ownership,” said Alavilli.