Budge budge municipality

Though it is mandatory for all Municipalities in West Bengal to prepare DDP of their own under section 297 of the West Bengal Municipal Act, 1993 ( amended in 1998), it appears to be necessary for this Municipality to really to respond to the spirit of this Act. The launching programme of DDP was held on 23rd August, 2005, under participation of a large number of citizen including teachers, doctors, officials of CMU, officials and staffs of this Municipality.

During preparation it is tried to adhere to the direction and suggestion of the guide lines contained in eighteen tool kits provided for the DDP preparation for each ULB. Series of meetings, workshop and seminar were held in different wards on different dates to arrive at a consensus. As the proposed plan is based on “participatory process”, every time it was needed to interact with the stakeholders.

The proposed DDP consist of three major components namely:

1) Infrastructure Land Use and Environment Management
2) Social and Livelihood Development
3) Municipal Institutional Strengthening

Component 1: Infrastructure, Landuse and Environment Management Plan

Component 1 of the Draft Development Plan (DDP) consists of five sub-components viz. (i) Slum Infrastructure Improvement Plan, (ii) Intra-Municipal Infrastructure Improvement Plan, (iii) Trans-Municipal Infrastructure Improvement Plan, (iv) Landuse Development Plan, and (v) Environment Management Plan.

Sub-component 1.1: Slum Infrastructure Improvement Plan

In Budge Budge Municipality there are 20 numbers of Slums which have been have been identified as per QSS. The execution of work of the identified slums has been worked out and phasing has been prepared. Accordingly works should be taken out on the basis of availability of fund and working efficiency of the Municipality. The services in each Slum pocket have been prioritized by the PFT, BWMC and Slum Dwellers in consultation with the CDS members. Several proposals have been formulated placed for approval in DDP.

Sub-component 1.2: Intra-municipal Infrastructure Improvement Plan

Intra Municipal Infrastructure encompasses the major services which are rendered by the Municipality. As these services are directly related to the citizens, careful study of the problems, vision of the Municipality and pragmatic proposals are considered while preparing plan proposals on each service.

• Water Supply

This Municipality is lucky enough to enjoy the facility of filtered water supply. But there is a gap between the actual need and supply of water. The entire water supply system is mostly run by KMW&SA, the Municipality has some responsibility too. This Municipality has prepared a detailed internal network plan for water supply with tentative estimates (ward-wise) and placed in the plan project. This report may be taken as guide line for KMW&SA for their future working in the Municipality. The aim is to cover entire Municipality with piped water supply system

• Solid Waste Management

A Solid Waste Management standing committee is in existence in this Municipality. This Municipality has also its own dumping ground. There is no regular scientific system of collection of garbage from house to house. As a result people are throwing garbage hither and thither which contaminates the entire area and chocking the existing drains. A series of workshop have been conducted in all 20 wards to finalize a scientific programme on Solid Waste. The programme would include abolition of vats, introduction of Solid Waste Management Committee for fruitful operation at the ward level, door to door collection, segregation of biodegradable and non-biodegradable at source. Levying of users charge is also proposed for door to door collection along with formation of ward Solid Waste Management Committee.

• Drainage

Irrigation canals are the major intaker of storm and domestic waste water of the municipality. The irrigation canals are maintained by the Irrigation Department and found adequate to carry storm and domestic waste water. The existing drainage net work maintained by the municipality is deficient both in quality and quantity. There is numerous number of kaccha and pucca drains situated in different wards and are connected to the Irrigation canals. After thorough study and analysis it is observed that the existing pucca drains are under section and kancha drains are mostly filled up thus loosing there capacities. There are also some areas which are not covered by any drainage network system. Proposal has been prepared with an aim to improve the existing drains and construction of new drains especially for the uncovered areas.

• Roads, bridges and traffic management

This municipality has one major arterial road that is Budge Budge Trunk Road connecting Kolkata and Pujali. The effective width and condition of the internal roads within the municipality are not appreciable. There are many roads which are kuccha type and paved. There is a need of massive improvement of the internal road network which includes conversion of kuccha to pucca, pucca to black top and in some areas improvement of existing roads for better communication.

• Social Infrastructure (e.g. Health, education, parks & gardens)

Other than the direct municipal services like water, drainage, roads, etc. there are some important and essential components required for healthy city growth. These components directly and indirectly will help in building a good social and cultural ambit of the municipality. In our proposed DDP several proposals have been put towards this, they are construction of a community hall, construction of a swimming pool, upgradation of general hospital, renovation and upgradation of primary schools, etc.

Sub-component 1.3: Trans-municipal Infrastructure Improvement Plan

The Budge Budge Municipality is sandwiched between Mahestala municipality in one side and Pujali municipality surrounded by the river Hooghly and Panchyats on two other sides. There are two common services which are connecting the other municipal bodies like Budge Budge Trunk road and the filter water lines. Of course the Eastern Railway and water ways by the river Hooghly is also a common transportation routes. The drainage canals are also partially serving with the other municipalities and panchyats. The greatest problem which this municipality is facing is the surface transport system. The Budge Budge Trunk Road is the only arterial road, inadequate in capacity of handling the huge vehicular traffic load. Therefore it is suggested to have an alternative road almost parallel to the eastern railway track connecting Kolkata and Budge Budge Municipality as a By-pass road. There is also a proposal for construction of a fly over which would connect the proposed by-pass road and Desh Bandhu Chittranjan Road over the railway track. A series of meeting were held with all the stakeholders and arrived at such a decision.

Sub-component 1.4: Environment Management Plan

With the advancement of civilization, emission of carbon dioxide, nitrogenous compounds and other harmful gases and chemicals make the global environment unsuitable for life. Pollution of air, pollution by sound, pollution in water is also areas of concern. That is why for any planning document and process environment holds to be a major component. A series of survey has been conducted by M/S CES, appointed by CMU for the municipalities. They have submitted some recommendations on different items. Though West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) is solely responsible for looking after the environmental processes, but the ULB has also a major role to play as it is a local government. Therefore, some proposals on environment are incorporated in the proposed DDP. These are mostly administrative and regulatory in nature whereas renovation of the existing slaughter house is the only capital intensive proposal.

Sub-component 1. 5: Land Use Development Plan.

A Landuse development plan relates to creation of space and best spatial arrangements. Therefore, while preparing landuse development plan all care and caution must be considered. For Budge Budge municipality with only an area of 9.06 sq. km it is all the more important to inch of space to be considered as important. All the proposals here have been developed under the three themes as indicated in tool kit on Landuse development. Strengthening of the machinery to monitor the compliance with regulations to deal effectively with violation of any type of unauthorized developments and construction has also been incorporated within the landuse plan. All the proposals under landuse development plan must be in conformity with the T&CP Act of 1979 (LUDCP).

Component 2: Social and Livelihood Development Plan

Component 2 of the DDP consists of four sub-components viz. (i) Livelihoods and Poverty Alleviation Plan, (ii) Local Economic Development Plan, (iii) Healthcare Service Delivery Plan, and, (iv) Primary Education Improvement Plan.

Sub-component 2.1: Livelihood and Poverty Alleviation Plan.

The Livelihoods and Poverty Alleviation Plan of the DDP refers to the organisational, operational, coverage and delivery aspect of all the existing Government schemes in the ULB which address poverty and livelihood issues. The major thrust of this plan is on strengthening and improving the existing structures and operations of the Government Schemes. However, the Municipality has already taken a number of initiatives to implement various Plan/Schemes but there is still many gaps left to be filled up considering the delivery and coverage aspects of these schemes. Some proposals have been developed to fulfill these gaps as like: Revamping of SJSRY and UPE cell, Strengthening of various groups Viz. CDS, DWCUA, T&C group, NHC,NHG, ULB to form " Loan Recovery Committee" with help desk facility, Creation of Co-operative society for supply of credit to SJSRY and DWCUA groups, To regularize old age pension scheme & Schemes for other excluded group, Creation of Municipal task force to ensure timely guidance of proper implementation of all ongoing Government programmes.

Sub-component 2.2: Local Economic Development Plan

Budge Budge is a very old Municipality. The basic purpose of establishing this municipality was to support the then existing and flourishing industries namely jute mills and oil industries. However, the position had undergone a sea change now, Budge Budge as a river port had lost its past glory after the establishment of Haldia as a sea port for bulk handling of oil industries. The possible employment of opportunities in this case too had shrunk over the years. With this changed scenario, Budge Budge is no longer the municipality of early 1990s and the Municipal Authorities are now finding it very difficult to keep the basic services for the people in a reasonable running condition. Moreover, the financial condition of the Municipality has become quite critical and it has now become near impossible to run the Municipality without substantial Government grant. However, it is fully realized that this cannot continue for a long and we will have to turn around soon and go for internal income generation through Local Economic Development for the sake of long-term financial self-sustainability. The project proposals developed is a concrete step towards this end. The basic aim of this project proposal is to activate the available local resources towards diversified economic activities so that local Budge Budge is a very old Municipality. The basic purpose of establishing this municipality was to support the then existing and flourishing industries namely jute mills and oil industries. However, the position had undergone a sea change now, Budge Budge as a river port had lost its past glory after the establishment of Haldia as a sea port for bulk handling of oil industries. The possible employment of opportunities in this case too had shrunk over the years. With this changed scenario, Budge Budge is no longer the municipality of early 1990s and the Municipal Authorities are now finding it very difficult to keep the basic services for the people in a reasonable running condition. Moreover, the financial condition of the Municipality has become quite critical and it has now become near impossible to run the Municipality without substantial Government grant. However, it is fully realized that this cannot continue for a long and we will have to turn around soon and go for internal income generation through Local Economic Development for the sake of long-term financial self-sustainability. The project proposals developed is a concrete step towards this end. The basic aim of this project proposal is to activate the available local resources towards diversified economic activities so that local

Sub-component 2.3: Healthcare Service Delivery Plan

While formulating a comprehensive health care improvement plan for Budge-Budge Municipality- absence of inter-departmental co-ordination associated with thematic gaps have been identified with poor functioning of Municipal Health & Family Welfare Committee. Having been understood existing strengths and weaknesses of Municipality’s health system through various study, reports, focus group discussions, meetings, workshops and field visits- Budge-Budge Municipality has been in the process of developing a holistic health care improvement plan encompassing public health, RCH and National health programmes where major thrust has been bestowed upon strengthening and capacity building of existing committee and health personnel to ensure delivery of quality services. Some proposals have been developed like : Development of Health Management Intervention system (HMIS), Construction of new sub-centers & maintenance /renovation of the existing ones, Timely procurement of Essential drugs at each sub-centres to ensure supply to all the beneficiaries of IPP-(VIII), Family planning - permanent sterilization, Introduction of spatial Immunization Programmes, Hepatitis B & C, Anti rabies, Anti Venom on a regular basis, Upgradation of the Homeo Dispensary, Increment of honorarium & betterment of Health kits for HHWS, Adolescence health clinic for continuation of the adolescence healthcare programmes.

Sub-component 2.4: Education Improvement Plan

With the introduction of West Bengal Municipal Act of 1993, municipality has been entrusted with ensuring and providing education in the sphere of establishing and maintaining pre-primary education; promotion of cultural activities; advancement of science and technology; and advancement of civic consciousness of public health. Apart from this there are a number of Government Plans and Schemes that are implemented by the municipalities like Sarba Shikkha Abhijan (SSA), National Child Labour Project (NCLP), Mid Day Meal, Continuing Education or Adult Education, Balwadis and Aganwadis. Being an active and most pivotal in the field of educational service provider , the ULB still have certain gaps in delivering quality education provisions to the beneficiaries of the local area and therefore the Primary Education Development Plan aims towards achieving the following objectives like: Improvement of the status of infrastructure and basic services in Municipal Primary Schools and SSKs, achieving cent percent enrolment in the municipal schools in the next five years and enhancing the quality of education imparted in the primary schools with respect to student performance and teaching quality, strengthening of different committees involved in promotion of education in ULB area, upgradation of the primary schools to junior high and high school, etc. Some proposals have been developed like : Upgradation of Primary to Upper Primary and Secondary Schools, Provisions for infrastructural development, Renovation and repairs for SSK, pre-primary and primary Schools, Incentives/Scholarships/Awards to students of weaker Section, Increment of honorarium and updated training for the Sahayika’s of SSK, Creation of special Education fund within ULB level to address educational needs of excluded/minority group, adult literacy group and spatial Children, Timely Procurement of School furniture, TLM, School text, Mid-day meal & School Uniform, Strengthening of Ward Education Committee (WEC), Municipal Education Committee and Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) towards delivery of quality education with better administration, Follow-up action of drop-out students and out of school students into alternative system of education.

Component 3: Municipal Institutional Strengthening Plan

Component 3 of the DDP consists of four sub-components viz. (i) Organisation Development Plan, (ii) Internal Process and Systems Improvement Plan, (iii) Citizen Interface Plan and, (iv) Financial Plan. During plan preparation process, the Development Objectives of each of the above sub-components have been set in consultation with the stake-holders at different level.

Sub-component 3.1: Organization Development Plan

To introduce efficient and effective Governance system with provisions for best training provisions for the employees the following objectives have been taken up by this ULB.

• To develop better and effective departmental co-ordination and improve efficiencies of the ULB employees, through implementation of Governance practice and e-governance.
• To introduce a Human Resource Department in the Municipality to bring in transparency, strategize effective organizational structure, with full utilization of present manpower and deployment aiming towards – right man at the right place.
• To introduce a planned training and development with provisions for both technical and other need based training.

Sub-component 3.2: Process and Systems Improvement Plan

The areas covered under this sub-component plan are Accounting Systems and Processes, Procurement Systems and Processes and Personnel Systems and Processes. The Municipality as per the guidelines of DDP-111 has mapped the core processes which needs immediate development and improvement. Also as per future planned Bi-monthly Citizen Survey Reports, the Systems and Processes will be improved as per the needs of the Citizens. Some of the Systems and Processes which are being planned for Development are: ?MIS ?Accounting Procedure and Financial Management ?Supply Chain (Procurement & Central Store) Management ?Maintenance ? and Water Works. A Grievance Procedure’ which is already in place in some of the Wards and in the main Municipality office is being planned for further development by setting up a Single Window System for all the core processes in the municipality for better grievance handling and decimation of information along with the implementation of the MIS system and e-Governance. To improve and upgrade the overall system and process of this ULB the following objectives have been developed:

• To introduce bi-monthly Citizen Survey to incorporate necessary improvement and amendment in the overall system and processes of the Municipality.
• To identify all bottlenecks in the existing systems and processes and removal of those.
• A better grievance redressal system for all the core services provided by the Municipality to the Citizens.
• Implementation of the MIS System and E-Governance for overall improvement of the Municipal System & Process.

Sub-component 3.3: Citizen Interface Plan

Through the Study as per prescribed by DDP-111, certain Services and Facilities have been identified for improvement, which will be finally beneficial to the Citizens. To achieve the above a Bi-monthly Citizen Survey is required to assess the needs of the Citizens through real-time data which by itself will give the right information to the Municipality for improvement of Systems and Processes. A Single Window System at the Municipality and across the Wards is also being planned to be implemented, which will help in better communication and feedback of all service issues, policies, and laws to all the stakeholders. The Single Window System will also enhance the process of better grievance procedure. Also, it is being planned that a front-office be created for better ‘communication and feedback’ process with all the Stakeholders in the main Municipality office. To disseminate information and bring in transparency in the overall system of service provision of the municipality the following objectives have been developed:

• As per Citizen’s Charter a commitment to deliver quality and time-bound services and facilities to the citizens.
• Introduce a single window system at the municipality and across the wards, to help better communication and feedback with the citizens.
• Betterment of Grievance Redressal Process through e-governance and e-portal.

Sub-component 3.4: Financial Plan

The ULB aims towards long term financial planning with better management of its capital and revenue income and expenditure, asset management and over and above revenue improvement with cost recovery as well.The comprehensive Financial Plan focuses on revenue enhancement, expenditure and asset management. At the beginning, the current situation in respect of Financial Management of the ULB has been analysed based on assessment of current fiscal performance. Projection of ULB’s financial position for the next 5 years is also done based on the assumption that the past level of efforts will continue and business will be carried on as was being conducted in the past. The problems in revenue enhancements are identified and strategies for improvement suggested as Financial Plan Version-I. In addition to the above, inputs of other subcomponents of the DDP have been considered and their financial implications have been incorporated in the preparation of the holistic Financial Plan Version – II.