Not all developmental activities need publicity – DMC

Says its ‘current dispensation’ considers such activities normal for a municipal body

Dimapur, May 26 (EMN): The Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) has claimed that its ‘current dispensation’ does not publicise any developmental works ‘because it considers such activities as normal responsibilities of a municipal body which necessarily does not require publicity.’
The DMC was responding to allegations from a group called the People for Democratic Rights (PDR) that ‘developmental activities’ in urban Dimapur had come to a standstill since the previous except for the ‘Better Dimapur project.’
“Whether the ‘Better Dimapur’ project developmental work undertaken so far like solar project, plantation drive, garbage to gold project, pothole repairing, road signage projects, and road marking project impact has been minimal or not is for the citizens of Dimapur to judge. However, to the accusation that since last year the developmental activities have almost come to a stand-still, the DMC would like to highlight in brief the developmental activities undertaken by it from May 2017 to May 2018 besides the work undertaken under the ‘Better Dimapur’ project (see table in page 5),” read a statement from the DMC on Saturday.
The ‘Better Dimapur’ project, it stated, is given ‘some publicity in the print media and to a large extend in the social media’ because of the fact that the core component of the project is ‘community participation.’
“To mobilise community participation for the betterment of the city, information and various activities undertaken under this project are disseminated through the print and social media. Also, PDR may like to appreciate the fact that DMC have (sic) started the door-to-door collection of waste from August 2017 introducing 12 new dumper trucks exclusively for this door-to-door collection of waste every day. Besides this, to ensure transparency in the collection of trade license fees, the DMC will be very soon launching online payment of trade license fees.
“It appeared in some local dailies wherein PDR have claimed ‘the DMC is collecting a total amount of Rs 1 crore approximately only out of toll tax, excluding house rents, trade licenses and other incomes’ and also questioned DMC as to where and how the amount collected through toll tax is utilised.
“(The) DMC receives approximately INR 60-70 lakhs through tolls and utility fees during the good seasons. However it may be noted that DMC as an autonomous body, the staff salaries are paid from (the) municipal body’s own revenue generation which comes to more than INR 70 lakhs per month. Around INR 15-20 lakhs per month is spend for sanitation works and the rest are used for developmental works,” it informed.
It also stated that the ‘current dispensation’ welcomes the PDR to its office anytime to clarify any matter ‘and would appreciate if PDR approaches the DMC office before making its own conclusion or go to the media.’