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Panjim selected under urban renewal scheme BY HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 12 — The central government, under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission has awarded a bonanza for Panjim city with the allocation of Rs 60 crore under the scheme. Panjim is one of the 63 cities in the country selected to accrue benefits under the scheme. The Corporation of the City of Panaji now has an uphill task to prepare development plans through a centrally recognised consultant and will have to simultaneously implement mandatory reforms as prescribed by the centre. According to officials state level committees will be appointed to approve projects and a double accounting system will also be evolved to ensure financial accountability. The new changes in the financial accounting, is proposed to be introduced by 1st April this year. In the meantime, the CCP has presented a balanced budget for financial year 2006-07 to the tune of Rs 11.65 crore Some of the highlights include an allocation of Rs 4.21 crore for solid waste management. Similarly a provision of Rs 2.62 crore has been made for payment of works tendered and executed last year without any financial allocations. It is interesting to note that Rs 6.41 crore alone is allocated for payment of staff salaries. On the other hand, the CCP has projected revenue generation from house tax for 2006-07 to the tune of Rs 4.50 crore. Similarly, it has projected income from octroi at Rs 1.30 crore, Rs 75 lakh from license fees, Rs 30 lakh from signages and posters, Rs 20 lakh from solid waste management, Rs 10.60 lakh from the market, Rs 1.50 lakh from parking and Rs 6.50 lakh from fairs and exhibitions besides others. A budget provision of Rs 13 lakh has also been made for allowances for the 30 corporators. However this is likely to be subject to a cabinet approval as no provision has been made in the CCP Act for such allowances to corporators, unlike municipal councilors. It is proposed to collect fees (@ of Rs one per day) for door-to-door collection of solid waste along with the house tax. In view of this, a concession of Rs 65 is being awarded. -- TUMCHER AXIRVAD ASSUM; DEV BOREM KORUM. Gabe Menezes. London, England
