The standing committee chairman of South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) Rajesh Gehlot holds the rein of the most posh civic body in Delhi. But in his first budget speech presented in the special meeting of house on Friday, he showed his commitment for development of rural area and providing civic amenities to the villages on par with colonies.
In an interaction with Siddheshwar Shukla he emphasised on the development of villages which are considered as Delhi’s backyard. Edited excerpts:
What is your first budget’s focus?
We want to make the corporation loan free and self-sustaining. We want to develop entire area but with a special focus on villages as they have been neglected. We are committed in providing civic amenities in rural areas at par with colonies.
The opposition is allowing you to allocate more fund to villages?
The condition of villages in Najafgarh area is pathetic, so they need special focus. The situation of villages worsened further as Delhi government stopped fund allocation for 86 rural and 115 urbanised villages in SDMC area.
What is the budget allocation and projects for villages?
We have allocated Rs 50 crore for rural villages and Rs 25 crore for the development of urbanised villages in SDMC area. Besides, Rs 5 crore have been allocated for a stadium in Ghummanhera village and a mini stadium in Kakraula village.
A recreation centre will also be constructed in Gummanhera village on PPP model.
What is your plan for development of unauthorised colonies?
We have requested Delhi government to allow corporation and councillors to use their funds for development projects of unauthorised colonies. Further, Rs 50 crore has been allocated for the development of unauthorised colonies in SDMC area. Besides, Rs 25 crore has been allocated for development works in authorised colonies.
You have rejected all the recommendations of commissioner to increase taxes and levy new taxes.
How will you manage your finances?
We will not put burden on honest tax payers but focus to bring more persons in the tax net by simplifying our tax collection in property tax, trade license, advertisement tax, etc. We have planned to bring all the tax payers in the tax net in a time bound manner. A complete digitalisation of the entire system is under way.
What is your plan to improve health facilities?
The plans include 110-bed hospital at Gummanhera village, ayurvedic hospital at Gummanhera village, 100-bed hospital at Tilak Nagar, renovation of Kalkaji hospital, Thalassemia cell at Badarpur maternity centre and health helpline for people.
What are your major achievements so far?
Revamp of property tax department, extension of online approval of maps, simplification of map approval for Lal Dora and unauthorised colonies, upgradation of sanitation and street light.
What are your plans to improve education system?
We have made several innovation like CCTVs in schools, a new sport academy, video conferencing at zone and head quarter levels, cultural exchange with North East states and special teachers outsourcing.
What are you doing to improve sanitation system?
We have ordered to purchase two super suction machines, 80 RR Truck, 30 Front End Loader, 25 Tata LMV, 20 mini jetting and 10 back hoe loader to make our sanitation system more efficient. Besides, sanitation workers are being recruited.
In an interaction with Siddheshwar Shukla he emphasised on the development of villages which are considered as Delhi’s backyard. Edited excerpts:
What is your first budget’s focus?
We want to make the corporation loan free and self-sustaining. We want to develop entire area but with a special focus on villages as they have been neglected. We are committed in providing civic amenities in rural areas at par with colonies.
The opposition is allowing you to allocate more fund to villages?
The condition of villages in Najafgarh area is pathetic, so they need special focus. The situation of villages worsened further as Delhi government stopped fund allocation for 86 rural and 115 urbanised villages in SDMC area.
What is the budget allocation and projects for villages?
We have allocated Rs 50 crore for rural villages and Rs 25 crore for the development of urbanised villages in SDMC area. Besides, Rs 5 crore have been allocated for a stadium in Ghummanhera village and a mini stadium in Kakraula village.
A recreation centre will also be constructed in Gummanhera village on PPP model.
What is your plan for development of unauthorised colonies?
We have requested Delhi government to allow corporation and councillors to use their funds for development projects of unauthorised colonies. Further, Rs 50 crore has been allocated for the development of unauthorised colonies in SDMC area. Besides, Rs 25 crore has been allocated for development works in authorised colonies.
You have rejected all the recommendations of commissioner to increase taxes and levy new taxes.
How will you manage your finances?
We will not put burden on honest tax payers but focus to bring more persons in the tax net by simplifying our tax collection in property tax, trade license, advertisement tax, etc. We have planned to bring all the tax payers in the tax net in a time bound manner. A complete digitalisation of the entire system is under way.
What is your plan to improve health facilities?
The plans include 110-bed hospital at Gummanhera village, ayurvedic hospital at Gummanhera village, 100-bed hospital at Tilak Nagar, renovation of Kalkaji hospital, Thalassemia cell at Badarpur maternity centre and health helpline for people.
What are your major achievements so far?
Revamp of property tax department, extension of online approval of maps, simplification of map approval for Lal Dora and unauthorised colonies, upgradation of sanitation and street light.
What are your plans to improve education system?
We have made several innovation like CCTVs in schools, a new sport academy, video conferencing at zone and head quarter levels, cultural exchange with North East states and special teachers outsourcing.
What are you doing to improve sanitation system?
We have ordered to purchase two super suction machines, 80 RR Truck, 30 Front End Loader, 25 Tata LMV, 20 mini jetting and 10 back hoe loader to make our sanitation system more efficient. Besides, sanitation workers are being recruited.