AAP govt to seek public opinion on civic projects after Budget

New Delhi, Jan 31: The AAP government has decided to organise 'mohalla sabhas' to seek suggestions from people on civic projects only after the budget for 2016-17 has been presented in the Assembly.

The Delhi government had last year held mohalla sabhas in 11 Assembly constituencies for preparing a "participatory budget" at which the residents were asked to decide which development projects should be taken up in their localities.

However, the exercise, aimed at making citizens active participants in governance, will be undertaken this year after budget presentation.

"This year, we have decided to organise mohalla sabhas to seek public suggestions on civic projects only after the budget for 2016-17 has been presented in the Assembly.

"After presenting the budget, we will hold these public meetings where development projects will be finalised in particular areas," Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia told PTI.

He said in these meetings people would make suggestions to the government about which projects should be carried out in their localities keeping in mind their requirements. A senior government official said while last year the experiment was limited to only 11 of Delhi's 70 assembly constituencies, the exercise to be conducted this year will cover all segments.

Only voters registered at the polling centres where meetings are held can participate. The government had last year allocated Rs 20 crore per constituency under the pilot programme. Projects recommended by people were placed in the Assembly. An AAP functionary said the practice will ensure maximum involvement of citizens in governance.

PTI