nNew Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) on Wednesday presented a net positive and forward looking Budget with a moderate surplus of Rs 136.18 crores in current financial year and Rs 172.47 crores for financial year 2021-22 reflecting its commitment to a well governed and financially sustainable municipal body.
The Budget presented by NDMC Chairman Dharmendra has not proposed any new taxes for the next financial year in spite of a number of reliefs granted this year. The civic body has also completed major projects like integrated command and control centre this year and series of projects for next financial year focusing on un-interrupted power supply, other civic services and strengthening its internal governance.
While addressing the media after presentation of Budget 2021-22 at NDMC Convention Centre, he said that, financial year 2020-21 commenced in an unprecedented manner with a complete national lockdown on account of global COVID-19 pandemic which, over the coming months only intensified followed by phase-wise unlocking process.
"I can say with confidence that NDMC has been successful in ensuring all municipal services in an un-interrupted manner befitting its leading persona among national local bodies," he said.
NDMC has listed number of measures taken to ensure un-interrupted services to its citizens during COVID times especially in health, sanitation and education. NDMC has taken its response and learning from COVID -19 challenge as a take off point for its future development strategy to make NDMC, a shock-proof city.
"The concept plan for development work at K G Marg and Barakhamba Road will be developed and work will be taken up in FY 2021-22.Concept plan for development work at Mandi House circle has been prepared and this too will be taken up in 2021-22," he said.
The chairman said that the civic body has constructed three pink toilets as a special initiative for women which are in operation at Jeevan Bharti building on Parliament Street, factory road and super bazar at Outer CP. Four more such toilets will be taken up at SN Market, D Avenue and Safdarjung Hospital.
The work at AIIMS Green area and Nehru Park is in progress. Development of York Place circle at junction of Janpath and Moti Lal Nehru Marg is also under process and will be completed in 2021-22, he said, adding that more happiness areas in Rose Garden, Rail Bhawan, round about near Taj Man Singh Hotel etc and other suitable locations will be developed.
The roundabouts of NDMC be utilized for showcasing of theme based public art and sculptures through a scheme “Art with Heart”. Art will be installed at such roundabouts and other prominent places in a phased manner, he said.
The chairman further said that NDMC has taken the services of School of Planning and Architecture- New Delhi to develop concept for NDMC as a cycle friendly city under Smart City Mission for the initiative as Cycle-in-City and identify more stretches for safe cycling by the commuters.
