BENGALURU: The BBMP has initiated ward-specific works in only 27 wards between April 1 and August 31, 2015, and the total value of works created during that period adds up to only Rs 81 crore.
This was the preliminary analysis by Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy’s of works initiated by the civic body in the current financial year.
Only a fraction of available funds have been allocated towards specific works and the remaining funds are available for newly elected corporators to utilise in their wards as well as for the administration to take up city-level works, stated a release from Janaagraha.
Janaagraha estimates that of the total budget of Rs 5,410 crore for the current year, over Rs 3,800 crore will be available for spending on infrastructure and services, including Rs 1,100 crore for settling pending contractor bills.
Outer Wards Neglected: According to the study, wards on the outskirts of the city were neglected with average per capita allocation in the 2015-16 BBMP budget averaging Rs 715. However, the inner wards received a significantly higher per capita allocation averaging Rs 1,131.
“Some of the largest outer wards such as Bellandur, Horamavu and Byatarayanapura, with population exceeding 70,000 each, have received lower than average budget allocations pointing to a continued apathy towards these wards,” the report stated.
Generous Allocations:
Nagapura (Ward 67) in Mahalakshmi Layout Assembly constituency has received Rs 32.7 crore against the ward average of Rs 3.86 crore. Byrasandra (Ward 169) in Jayanagar Assembly segment received Rs 23.4 crore and Aramane Nagara (Ward 35) in Malleswaram got Rs 14.6 crore. Among the Assembly constituencies, Jayanagar with Rs 57 crore and Mahalakshmi Layout with Rs 51 crore top the list, the report stated.