State okays 223cr for development of suburbs

Mumbai: The state government on Thursday approved a Rs 223.46-crore budget for development work in the suburbs. 

    Last year, the district planning committee budget was Rs 150 crore, of which 42% has been spent so far. The budget was discussed and approved by legislators from the suburbs at a meeting at Chetana college on Thursday. 
    Criticizing the allotment, Yogesh Sagar (BJP) said the suburbs have a population of one crore, which is 9% of the state's population, and the actual amount for development was only Rs 160 crore. "The balance amount is for administrative expenses, balance payments, etc. They are yet to issue tenders for work to be taken up in this financial year. Other districts get Rs 200-300 crore. How can they treat the suburbs so shabbily?" he said. 
    Naseem Khan, guardian minister for the suburbs, said there had been delays in funds being made available, and hence the money has not been spent. 
    For the first time the government will spend Rs 5 crore on building protection walls around vacant government land to prevent encroachments. 
    Khan said Rs 60 crore will be spent on welfare measures for tribals. Aarey Colony at Goregaon (E) and the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivli, have a significant tribal population. 
    The government has budgeted Rs 47 crore for retaining walls in hilly areas to prevent landslides. The walls will protect slums that have come up on hill slopes and are under threat during the monsoon. Another Rs 61.5 crore will be spent on upgradation of slums and for development of open spaces in the slums, besides beautification of crematoria. "We shall provide Rs 3 crore to the Ismail Yusuf College, Jogeshwari, for infrastructure development,'' said Khan. Another Rs 35 crore will be spent on sports infrastructure, jetties and schools, he said.