NDMC budget: Insurance, drivers for councillors proposed

At a time when it is battling financial crunch, NDMC today proposed life insurance cover for its 500 former and present councillors, doubling the ward development fund and driver service for its municipal representatives.
The revised budget proposals for 2016-17 and budget estimates for 2017-18 were presented by North Delhi Municipal Corporation's Standing Committee Chairman Pravesh Wahi in the House today.
As per the chairman's proposal, each councillor is to get a driver, the NDMC said.
"Rs 6 lakh for next financial year have been earmarked to provide life insurance coverage of 500 former and present councillors," the budget proposal says.

The civic body has also proposed a hike in the councillor development fund from Rs 52 crore to Rs 104 crore, including Rs 10 lakh for developing two open gyms in each ward.
The proposals would now come up for discussion in the NDMC House.

The budget has also proposed increase in insurance cover from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh, for municipal schools children.
"This scheme is dedicated to about 3.5 lakh students studying in municipal schools of NDMC," Wahi said.
BJP-led NDMC has 104 councillors and they are likely to get an even competition from rival parties in the civic polls due early this year.

"Group insurance cover of Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 would be provided to those rickshaw-pullers who register themselves with the corporation," it further proposed.