CANACONA: Jaunts and study tours by elected representatives have been widely criticised by the public across the State, but that has not stopped Canacona Municipal Council (CMC) from earmarking Rs 3 lakh for ‘study tours’ and ‘training programmes.’
This came to light when the CMC on Thursday presented a budget for Rs 15.28 crore for the year 2015-16.
In the council’s special budget meeting, Chief Officer Sudhin Natu presented the budget for 2015-16 for Rs 15.28 crore against 2014-15’s budget of Rs 10.70 crore to the council’s approval.
Anticipating revenue to the tune of Rs 15.28 crore from major contributions from government grants (Rs 3.2 crore), revenue from house tax, Octroi, hoardings, municipal plots, etc, (Rs 1.6 crore), from properties such as land, buildings, etc, (Rs 1.27 crore), tourism shacks, stalls, kiosks (Rs 35 lakh), markets (Rs 30 lakh), CMC has proposed an expenditure to the tune of Rs 7.65 crore for 2015-16.
Salary and other benefits alone to the CMC staff (permanent, temporary, labourers’ wages, etc) will amount to Rs 3.22 crore. CMC budgeted Rs 80 lakh towards petrol and diesel, Rs 20 lakh towards repairs of buildings and minor works and earmarked Rs 3 lakh for study tours and training programmes. Besides, Rs 5 lakh has been earmarked for court cases and prosecutions and another Rs 5 lakh is budgeted as financial aid during natural calamities for 2015-16.
Interestingly, CMC has made a provision to refund of Rs 70 lakh to government (grant-in-aid) for non-utilization of GIA funds.
According to CMC Chairperson Simon Rebello, additional grants have been earmarked for engaging more garbage workers in the council.
Councillors gave their nod for approval of the budget for 2015-16. CMC chief officer, municipal engineer, chairperson, deputy chairperson Champa Ashok Pagui, and all councillors, except for the councillor from Chaudi, attended the council meeting.
