SDMC to seek opinion of people on budget utilisation

In a move reflective of Aam Admi Party's policy of public engagement in governance related issues, the BJP ruled South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) has decided to seek opinion of the people in finalising utilisation of its development budget.
Pointing that the present process of budget making lacks in concerns and needs of people, SDMC's Leader of House Ashish Sood said, "Henceforth development budget utilisation at SDMC will be decided on the basis of suggestions of the people."
"As per the provisions of Delhi Municipal Act, the budget of the Municipal Corporations are prepared and presented by the Commissioners in December. Hence, the Budget presented are often devoid of changing concerns and needs of public," he said.

The deliberative wing of the SDMC has now decided that suggestions and opinion of Resident Welfare Associations and people at large will now be sought on utilisation of municipal funds of budget, Sood said.
"The suggestions received from people will be tried to be incorporated in the budget as far as possible," he said.
The councilors of civic body, in particular BJP ones, have been urged to organise meetings at ward levels to seek public suggestions.

Also, online suggestions will be sought through e-mail and social media platforms like Twitter. People can also post their suggestions addressed to Leader of the House, he said.

BJP councillors will also place locked boxes outside their offices for people to drop their written suggestions.
"The process of involving people in decision making has been started on a smaller scale this year. But in our next budget in December 2016, we will ensure that 100 per cent utilisation of development budget is as per suggestions of the people," he added.