The Delhi Government on Thursday also proposed to set up a “Swaraj Fund” that will allow the public to select and implement development programmes in their areas based on their needs. The Government allocated Rs 253 crore in the Budget to implement the scheme in 11 Assembly constituencies as a pilot project. This fund will be directly available at the disposal of the public to carry out various kinds of maintenance and development work in their area.
Apart from the 11 pilot constituencies, the remaining 59 Assembly constituencies are allocated Rs 50 lakh each. For the implementation of work recommended by the citizens under Swaraj Fund, Delhi Urban Development Agency (DUDA) is proposed to be set up in each revenue district. DUDA will work as central agency for execution of developmental projects as well as maintenance of public assets.
“This new agency will execute the works recommended by the citizens under ‘Swaraj Fund’ and works recommended by MlAs through MlA-lAD Fund,” Finance Minister Manish Sisodia proposed while tabling Delhi Budget for financial year 2015-16.
“In addition, this new agency will also play a vital role in providing basic civic services and their improvement in unauthorised colonies and rural areas,” he added.
Highlighting the need for setting up DUDA, he said, at present there is confusion about who is the appropriate agency for maintenance, construction and implementation of various public works projects in Delhi.
“There are a number of agencies for public works like improvement of roads, renovation of drains, renovation of parks or street lights, but in reality none of the agencies take ownership of these public works,” Sisodia said.
Explaining the problem of multiplicity of agencies Sisodia said, departments like Irrigation and Flood Control Department, which are responsible for major works like flood control and irrigation, have been assigned the work of construction of small street drains in unauthorised colonies.
Same work in unauthorised colonies has also been assigned to municipal corporations, PWD and DSIIDC, he said, adding that the move to create DUDA was for better administrative control and supervision.
DUDA will be formed in each districts and would be headed by the District Magistrate, who will be assisted by a team of engineers. It would facilitate in improving the accountability, efficiency and transparency in delivery of public services, he added.