DDA passes budget estimates for year 2008-09

New Delhi, Dec 28 (UNI) The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) today approved the revised budget estimates for the year 2007-2008 and the budget estimates for the year 2008-2009.

The budget estimates for the year 2008-2009, passed at a meeting of the DDA chaired by Delhi Lt Governor Tejender Khanna, envisages increased expenditure on new development works/schemes proposed to be undertaken in Rohini, Dwarka, Narela, Dheerpur, Jasola, Bakkarwala and payment to DMRC.

Emphasis has been laid on village redevelopment, EWS housing and to ensure speedy development of basic amenities in a time-bound manner and completion of houses/commercial properties within the stipulated time. At the same time, compliance of codal provisions has also been ensured.

After approval of the budget, Mr Khanna, who is also DDA Chairman, directed that as part of the new initiatives underground and multi-level parking should also be taken up, public conveniences of very good quality and standard should be put up at many places in the city and also in recreational areas.

Water harvesting and use of recycled water for various purposes including ''greening of parks'' should be focussed upon. He also emphasised that the budget should be performance oriented and the date of completion of any new initiative should be indicated.

He directed that every quarter, the progress of development projects will be monitored by the Authority not only in terms of financial expenditure but also in terms of physical progress made in the actual work done.

Apart from the DDA budget, an important decision taken in the Authority was regarding setting up of Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure Planning Cell. It was decided that this Cell will ensure implementation of Traffic and Transport policy of the Centre passed by Parliament and also Transport policy contained in MPD 2021.

This Cell will function under a High Powered Committee under the chairmanship of Lt Governor and will have representatives of Delhi Government, PWD, Transport Department and all other allied Organisations involved in traffic and transportation planning and engineering.

Various sub-groups will be made under the High Powered Committee which will work on various subjects ensuring smooth circulation system and safety of the passengers in terms of transport engineering etc.

The Authority had earlier resolved that the private architects can sanction building plans on plot area of 500 sq mtrs subject to compliance of building bylaws and codal formalities. However, today it was also resolved that for Government projects and local bodies the officers of the rank of Senior Architect and above of the concerned Department may sanction building plans subject to compliance of building bylaws.

The receipts for the year 2008-2009 have been projected at Rs 4915.78 crores as compared to anticipated receipts of Rs 5400.97 crores in the revised budget estimate for 2007-2008.

Actual receipts for the year 2006-07 were Rs 5383.66 crores.

Efforts will be made to achieve the target through planned disposal of land, houses and shops.

Expenditure for the year 2008-2009 has been projected as Rs 3622.60 crores as compared to Rs 2309.08 crores in the revised estimates for the year 2007-2008. The actual payments during the year 2006-07 were Rs 2052.12 crores.

The Budget estimates for the year 2008-2009 include a provision of Rs 358.19 crore for the Commonwealth Games 2010.

UNI