Bulk of Bhandara ZP budget focuses on infrastructure devpt

BHANDARA: The zilla parishad has allocated a large part of its budget into infrastructure development. Of Rs50 crore it has made provision of Rs22 crore for building construction, beautification of chambers of ZP officers and staff, to be spent within three months.
On Wednesday, the zilla parishad will table its annual supplementary and first amended budget in the general body meeting.Rs22 crore has been allocated for construction work, like beautification of ZP primary and high schools, repair work of main administrative building, emergency fund provision for drainage repair, maintenance and repair of ZP meeting hall, repair of pedestal of national flag, interior decoration of chambers and anti chambers of president and CEO, repairs and maintenance of chamber of executive engineer (B & C), beautification of cabin of PA to vice-president, repairs of minor irrigation tanks and small barrages, repairs and maintenance of veterinary hospitals and ayurvedic dispensaries.
"In response to the budget, where only Rs43 lakh and Rs31 lakh has been allocated for agriculture and public health respectively, despite these being the most vital areas of social infrastructure," ZP member Vijay Khobragde said. He said that as per the concept of human development index, maximum funds should be provided to "social infrastructure" field which immensely help in increasing the HDI. State government has even started a special human development mission to create social infrastructure in districts. But, Bhandara ZP is more interested in civil construction work. Tomorrow this vital issue will be raised in the meeting, hew said.
Chief accounts and finance officer Pankaj Giri, said that the budget is prepared as per the directives of chairman of ZP finance and public works committee and there is no specific guidelines about allotting how much in which sector.