Old hats,I Multi-level parking lots,community centre gyms and toilets for women find their way back into new proposals After two months of discussions,the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Monday presented its final budget,with proposals bearing a striking similarity with those doing the rounds for the last two-three years. The MCD House,where the budget was presented,recycled proposals such as turning the rooftop of the new MCD Civic Centre into a tourist spot and constructing women toilets and gyms in community centres these plans are already being implemented at a snails pace by the civic body. Leader of the MCD House Subhash Arya has been focussing on these projects in his budget in the last three years. Another important project,in the pipeline for years,is the 15 multi-level parking lots being built by the civic agency at different spots in the city. The Commonwealth Games was last deadline the project missed over the last three to four years. The MCD House has also been planning to recycle water from drains to water the gardens and parks of Delhi,but no step has been taken in the direction. When asked,Arya said he has been working towards these goals. Sometimes it takes a long time to get the required permission and sanction from the Centre,which delays the projects, he said. Councillor Farhad Suri from the Opposition Congress said the MCD is not able to implement many of the proposals mentioned in its budget. I have been watching the budget for the last three years. Every year,the same thing is repeated. The MCD has,for example,been talking of installing biometric attendance systems in schools,but it has not been able to do this yet, he said. The budget does promise that developmental work,such as fixing of roads,pavements and streetlights,will be carried out soon. Arya said MCD councillors can begin to submit estimates of development work needed in their respective areas Tuesday onwards. The MCD has promised its 272 councillors Rs 1.5 crore for such work in the current fiscal year that ends on March 31. Once estimates are submitted,work can continue till October from the budget of the current year, he said.
