U-turn- Approval to buy 17 Iphones for outgoing GHMC Standing committee revoked

Hyderabad: A day after the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation's standing committee headed by Mayor Bonthu Rammohan approved to procure 17 iphones 12 Pro max for its outgoing members of total cost Rs 27.3 lakh, the government on Friday revoked the administrative approval. The order for procurement stands cancelled, an official told NewsMeter.

The collaborative decision to buy Iphones for the outgoing staff received heavy backslash on social media. Citizens highly critized the GHMC Standing committee to gift themselves phones amounting to Rs 1.6 lakh each, when many flood affected families are yet to receive their relief money.

The term of the present standing committee ends in February 2021, also few members like Hyderabad Mayor Bonthu Rammohan did not contested Elections nor will be part of the next set of Corporators.However what was kept in the dark was the committee gave administrative approval to procure three more Iphones for officials who worked with the Mayor. This is besides the 17 Iphones approved.

However the other approvals remain unchanged. The standing committee gave a go-ahead for establishing burial-cum-cremation ground for the Hindu, Muslim, and Christian communities. The municipal body has approved the construction of a 6.20 acres crematorium for Hindus, Muslims, and Christians in Fatullaguda, Nagol. It will include two crematoriums each for the three communities, electric crematorium for Hindus, and cemeteries for the Christian and Muslim communities, officials said.

Other proposals approved include the acquisition of 15 properties for an 18m-wide road from St. Ann's School to NCL Enclave and the acquisition of 87 properties for the widening of an 18-meter road from Gajularamaram to Srivenkateswara Association through Modi Enclave. Various projects in the GHMC area were given approval including the acquisition of 16 properties for the 36m road widening from Nagol Nissan showroom to Bandlaguda from GHMC range to Central Groundwater Tattannaram, acquisition of five properties for extension of 30 meters road from Nokotel Hotel rear junction to Kookat Palli flyover, NAC to RUB Hitech, and the construction of three stormwater drains in Capra Circle at a cost of Rs. 3.60 crores.

Meanwhile, the committee decided to cancel three property tax index numbers and approved proposals to apply outsourcing employees working in different categories in the EVDM category to a single category. It also approved the budget for the financial year. For fiscal 2021-22, a budget of Rs. 5,600 crores have been proposed. A maximum of 32 percent of the proposed estimated budget of around Rs. 1,850 crores are expected to generate from local sources.

Around 22 percent funding estimated at Rs. 1,224.51 crores will be generated through loans and 17 percent funding of Rs. 1,022.70 crores will come from fees and user charges. Also, 14 percent funding of Rs. 770.51 crores will come under plan grants, 13 percent funding of Rs. 652.10 crores will come under assigned revenue, three percent funding of Rs. 189.69 crores will be available under regularization fees. One percent funding of Rs. 66.20 crore will be received through other revenue sources. Rs. 22.84 crores will be received through contribution.