Except for a proposal to improve the solid waste management at an outlay of Rs. 12.73 crore, and establishing bio-methanation plant at Rs. 4.10 crore, the city municipal corporation’s budget for 2015-16 failed to address infrastructure development.
Presenting a Rs. 7.27 crore deficit budget on Monday, Mayor S. Soundappan said that ‘Amma’ canteens have served 38.22 lakh people in 637 days and the civic body has spent Rs. 6.96 crore towards running these 10 canteens.
The existing schemes, Phase II of Mettur — Salem Dedicated Water Supply Scheme and underground drainage system, would be completed this year, he said adding that a comprehensive mobility plan is being prepared to improve infrastructure.
Announcements included converting existing street lights with LED bulbs at a cost of Rs. 2 crore, solar energy projects at Rs. 52 lakh, five new buildings and renovation of corporation maternity centres at a cost of Rs. 5.17 crore and toilet facilities at important bus stops at a cost of Rs. 1.16 crore.
A major boost to the solid waste management plan is the purchase of gadgets, compactors and scientific treatment of municipal solid waste at a cost of Rs. 12.73 crore.
The corporation has proposed to set up three bio-methanation plant, each with a capacity of 25 tonne, at a cost of Rs. 4.10 crore.
For every Rs. 1 earned by the civic body, 38 paise is spent for employees’ salary, 19 paise for operations, 18 paise for administration, 13 paise for pension, six paise for maintenance and repairs and only 0.52 paise is spent for projects.
This clearly indicates that around 40 per cent of its income was spent on salaries and less than 5 per cent income is spent on projects.
Thus, the civic body was forced to depend on funds from the government leading to little progress in the ongoing projects.
