City’s green cover set to get Rs 4-crore extra boost
TNN | Mar 11, 2019, 07:59 ISTLudhiana: In a bid to replenish the green cover of the industrial town, the Ludhiana MC has increased the funds allocated for development and maintenance of greenery in the budget approved by the general house on March 9.
The amount has been increased from Rs 3 crore to Rs 7 crore.
The horticulture branch of the MC usually remains neglected in terms of receiving ample funds for works. Many a times, the officials struggle to get funds even for purchasing saplings for plantation.
The move has come at a time when residents have been demanding development of parks in the city.
There are around 870 public parks in the city, out of which, more than 600 are under the care of the park management committees. For rest of the parks, the MC is facing a dearth of adequate staff and funds.
Civic officials said that in the coming days, they will organise plantation drives in the city for which arrangements are being made at the moment.
Mayor Balkar Sandhu said, “Greenery is essential for the city and every resident has the right to breathe fresh air. So this time, we have increased the budget for the horticulture branch.” He said that people has also been demanding for earmarking more funds for greenery, especially the park management committees. “If adequate funds are given, the park management committees will also get payments on time,” he added.
Meanwhile, residents welcomed the move but claimed that only allocation is not enough and the officials will have to sincerely work for this. Amit Sharma of Naveen Nagar said, “It is good that funds have been increased, but the city will benefit only when the money is spent judiciously in the right direction.”
Another resident from Hargobind Nagar, Harpreet Singh, said, “There are many areas in the city where green belts or parks are not available for the public. Authorities should at least think about developing greenery in these areas. Only allocation will not bring results. The officials will have to check where more greenery is required than the already green areas. The authorities should specify such areas.”
Horticulture branch headless
The executive engineer of the horticulture wing retired a few days ago and the department has not got any replacement nor has anyone been given the additional charge of this branch. Interestingly, the MC does not have any XEN who is trained in horticulture. There are only two XENs at the moment, but they are civil engineers and hardly know anything about plants. The MC also requires technical staff besides funds.
The amount has been increased from Rs 3 crore to Rs 7 crore.
The horticulture branch of the MC usually remains neglected in terms of receiving ample funds for works. Many a times, the officials struggle to get funds even for purchasing saplings for plantation.
The move has come at a time when residents have been demanding development of parks in the city.
There are around 870 public parks in the city, out of which, more than 600 are under the care of the park management committees. For rest of the parks, the MC is facing a dearth of adequate staff and funds.
Civic officials said that in the coming days, they will organise plantation drives in the city for which arrangements are being made at the moment.
Mayor Balkar Sandhu said, “Greenery is essential for the city and every resident has the right to breathe fresh air. So this time, we have increased the budget for the horticulture branch.” He said that people has also been demanding for earmarking more funds for greenery, especially the park management committees. “If adequate funds are given, the park management committees will also get payments on time,” he added.
Meanwhile, residents welcomed the move but claimed that only allocation is not enough and the officials will have to sincerely work for this. Amit Sharma of Naveen Nagar said, “It is good that funds have been increased, but the city will benefit only when the money is spent judiciously in the right direction.”
Another resident from Hargobind Nagar, Harpreet Singh, said, “There are many areas in the city where green belts or parks are not available for the public. Authorities should at least think about developing greenery in these areas. Only allocation will not bring results. The officials will have to check where more greenery is required than the already green areas. The authorities should specify such areas.”
Horticulture branch headless
The executive engineer of the horticulture wing retired a few days ago and the department has not got any replacement nor has anyone been given the additional charge of this branch. Interestingly, the MC does not have any XEN who is trained in horticulture. There are only two XENs at the moment, but they are civil engineers and hardly know anything about plants. The MC also requires technical staff besides funds.
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