DPC approves two projects.

A meeting of the district planning committee held recently decided to undertake two development projects for the district with active contribution from local self-government bodies.

Proposals for a multi-specialty veterinary hospital and Water-Rich Ernakulam project were submitted at the meeting for implementation during the 2014-15 fiscal period. The annual plan project for Palluruthy block panchayat was also approved. With the deadline shifted to June 5, local bodies have bought themselves more time to get their projects approved by the DPC. The State government had earlier set May 31 as the deadline.

The district holds the distinction for most number of DPC approved plan projects in the State. Though 45 panchayats, one block panchayat, and a municipal corporation had got their plan projects approved by the DPC, 39 more panchayats, 13 block panchayats, nine municipal corporations, district panchayat and Kochi Corporation are yet to follow suit.

The State government had directed local bodies to start plan implementation from the start of the financial year to put an end to the trend of local bodies hurrying to get the bills passed en masse towards the end of the fiscal.

The directive to get the projects approved well in advance to start implementation from April 1, stands sabotaged with majority of local bodies in the State yet to get their plan projects approved by the DPC.

Majority of the local bodies sought to blame the model code of conduct that was in place in connection with the Lok Sabha polls in April for the delay.


THE HINDU