ITANAGAR, Jan 27: Itanagar Municipal Corporation (IMC) Mayor Tame Phassang has urged Chief Minister Pema Khandu to increase the grant-in-aid for SWM (Solid Waste Management) to Rs 6 crore annually in order to enable the Corporation deliver “optimum” service adequately.
Phassang, who led a delegation of IMC, made this urge while calling on the Chief Minister at the Civil Secretariat here today.
UD & Housing, ULB Minister Kamlung Mossang, Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, Commissioner-cum-Secretary to the CM Sonam Chombay and Secretary UD Mitali Namchoom also attended the meeting.
During the hour-long meeting, the Mayor apprised the CM of various issues related to the non-enhancement of funds under SWM, lack of manpower and other issues.
While submitting a representation to the CM, the Mayor urged the former to enhance the funds for Solid Waste Management. “Since the inception of IMC , grant-in-aid of Rs 1.78 crore allocated annually for SWM but the existing allocation is insufficient to render full service considering various vital factors viz POL, Sanitation Vehicle maintenance, wages of sanitary workers, etc. which attributes in restraining the ability of IMC to maintain hygiene and cleanliness in ICR,” he reasoned.
The Mayor also pressed for the strengthening of manpower in the IMC for its smooth functioning. He also sought for appointment of an independent Assistant Commissioner for the IMC.
Expressing concern over the “overlapping of subjects”, the Mayor urged the CM to consider and facilitate provision for transferring all power devolved to the Urban Local Body with sufficient manpower from the line departments.
He stated: “It is also observed that HoDs of various departments are non-compliant in spite of resolution adopted by the Itanagar Municipal Corporation in its 6th Business Meetings wherein it was resolved that public and private agencies/machinery are to obtain NOC from IMC prior to implementation of any developmental schemes in the jurisdiction of IMC to streamline and support the system of the work process.”
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister Pema Khandu assured to extend all possible support to the IMC.