The city Corporation’s development seminar, organised as a prelude to the preparation of the annual plan for the 2019-20 fiscal, was held here on Sunday.
Mayor V.K. Prashant said holding the seminar so early was a landmark for the local body, as it would provide a whole year to the Corporation for the implementation of the projects.
Till 2017, the developmental seminar, which chalks out the project plan for the financial year, used to be held in the month of August or later.
Held in March
The seminar for 2018 was advanced to March so that it could be held before the beginning of the financial year in April.
Now, with the seminar for 2019 being held a few months in advance, the local body will get ample time for finalising the plan and for implementation of projects.
The authorities expect that this will reflect favourably in the fund utilisation. Despite its best efforts, the local body was not able to cross 75% last year.
Minister for Tourism and Devaswom Kadakmpally Surendran inaugurated the seminar. The meeting had a tense beginning, with BJP councillors and RSS workers protesting during his arrival. With the BJP councillors staying away from the seminar after the scuffle, Mayor V.K. Prashant said it was unfortunate that councillors had to use the venue for the protest, as the projects being discussed were meant for all wards.
For the next financial year, the local body has set aside a total development fund and maintenance grant of ₹328.3 crore, as per the draft plan.
Discussions were held in 20 separate groups on the draft proposals. Quite a few innovative proposals came up during the group discussions.