road condition in city

DSCC mayor in a fix as claim falls flat

The mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), Sayeed Khokon, yesterday was caught off-guard by journalists at the DSCC budget press conference after he failed to stand by his claims over road condition under his jurisdiction. This incident sparked controversy at the press conference—held at the Mayor Hanif conference room of Nagar Bhaban—wherein the mayor announced the budget of FY 2019-20 of Tk. 3,631.40 crore for the part of the capital under the jurisdiction of the DSCC.

The brouhaha between the mayor and the journalists over the mayor’s faux pas arose during the question and answer session after the budget announcement. Journalist Kamrun Nahar of ‘Financial Express’ vehemently opposed Mayor Khokon’s claim that “90 per cent of the roads under the South city corporation are in good shape.” She told the mayor that the area— Kathalbagan—where she resides has dilapidated roads, which lie in “that condition” for months. Upon her claim, the mayor immediately shot back and challenged her to prove her claim.

Nahar told the mayor to ask the councillor of that particular area whether he got “enough allocation” for repairing the roads in the area. The councillor, Salahuddin Ahmed Dhali, agreed with Kamrun’s claim, saying he was not getting enough allocation for repairing his locality’s roads.

This reply of Salahuddin put mayor Khokon in a spot. Khokon immediately asked the executive engineer (zone-1) of that locality, Engineer Shafiullah, to come up with a show-cause letter. The mayor also directed additional chief engineer Asaduzzaman to dismiss Shafiullah if it was not

satisfactory. Earlier, Mohammad Sayeed Khokon unveiled the biggest-ever budget at a press conference.

The DSCC has increased the budget by Tk. 32.65 crore for the fiscal year 2019–20 in comparison with the budget of Tk. 3,598.75 crore in the financial year 2018–19.

The revenue income in the new budget from own sources is Tk. 972.80 crore, which include holding tax of Tk. 350 crore, market salami (possession fee) Tk. 310 crore, trade licence fees of Tk. 90 crore, assets handover fee of Tk. 105 crore and other sources.

The government will provide Tk. 50 crore as grant and Tk. 75 crore as special allowance. Besides, Tk. 2,323.93 crore will come from government and private aid-based projects.

Mosquito control gets priority in DSCC budget. The budget made Tk 43.30 crore to mosquito control this fiscal year in comparison to the budget of Taka 26 crore in fiscal 2018-19. The expenditure in the budget include salaries and allowances (Tk. 350.00 crore), road and traffic infrastructure maintenance and development (Tk. 896.74 crore), physical infrastructure building and development (Tk. 526.97 crore), electricity, fuel, water and gas bills (Tk. 79 crore) and repairs and renovation Tk. 33.35 crore.

Besides, mosquito control equipment for Tk. 194.16 crore, special development Tk. 15 crore, development of civic entertainment facilities Tk. 271.30 crore, environmental development Tk. 151.99 crore and land acquisition and development Tk. 515 crore, new market construction Tk. 200 crore, construction of new modern slaughterhouse Tk. 45 crore and construction of cleaning employees’ residence Tk. 75.77 crore, etc.

Replying to a question from a journalist, Sayeed Khokon said, “The prevalence of dengue in the city has already come under control. The situation will improve further by this week. However, the mosquito elimination programme will continue throughout the year.”

The DSCC has taken up a five-year plan to prevent diseases like dengue and chikungunya by eliminating mosquitoes, he said, adding that manpower will be increased and an independent department named ‘Communicable Diseases and Research Department’ will be set up.

 Meanwhile, during the question and answer session, Mayor Khokon slammed the councillors after they lost their temper with a journalist.

During the media call following the announcement, some councillors lashed out at Bangla Tribune’s journalist Shahed Shafiq when he asked questions about their responsibilities to control the cleaners and anti-mosquito drive employees.

The councillors lost their temper and the situation came under control when Khokon stepped in and lashed out at the councillors for their behaviour.

“I’m surprised! Are you people supposed to be councillors? They are our guests,” he said.

 

road condition in city

DSCC mayor in a fix as claim falls flat

The mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), Sayeed Khokon, yesterday was caught off-guard by journalists at the DSCC budget press conference after he failed to stand by his claims over road condition under his jurisdiction. This incident sparked controversy at the press conferenceheld at the Mayor Hanif conference room of Nagar Bhabanwherein the mayor announced the budget of FY 2019-20 of Tk. 3,631.40 crore for the part of the capital under the jurisdiction of the DSCC. The brouhaha between the mayor and the journalists over the mayors faux pas arose during the question and answer session after the budget announcement. Journalist Kamrun Nahar of Financial Express vehemently opposed Mayor Khokons claim that 90 per cent of the roads under the South city corporation are in good shape. She told the mayor that the area Kathalbaganwhere she resides has dilapidated roads, which lie in that condition for months. Upon her claim, the mayor immediately shot back and challenged her to prove her claim. Nahar told the mayor to ask the councillor of that particular area whether he got enough allocation for repairing the roads in the area. The councillor, Salahuddin Ahmed Dhali, agreed with Kamruns claim, saying he was not getting enough allocation for repairing his localitys roads. This reply of Salahuddin put mayor Khokon in a spot. Khokon immediately asked the executive engineer (zone-1) of that locality, Engineer Shafiullah, to come up with a show-cause letter. The mayor also directed additional chief engineer Asaduzzaman to dismiss Shafiullah if it was not satisfactory. Earlier, Mohammad Sayeed Khokon unveiled the biggest-ever budget at a press conference. The DSCC has increased the budget by Tk. 32.65 crore for the fiscal year 201920 in comparison with the budget of Tk. 3,598.75 crore in the financial year 201819. The revenue income in the new budget from own sources is Tk. 972.80 crore, which include holding tax of Tk. 350 crore, market salami (possession fee) Tk. 310 crore, trade licence fees of Tk. 90 crore, assets handover fee of Tk. 105 crore and other sources. The government will provide Tk. 50 crore as grant and Tk. 75 crore as special allowance. Besides, Tk. 2,323.93 crore will come from government and private aid-based projects. Mosquito control gets priority in DSCC budget. The budget made Tk 43.30 crore to mosquito control this fiscal year in comparison to the budget of Taka 26 crore in fiscal 2018-19. The expenditure in the budget include salaries and allowances (Tk. 350.00 crore), road and traffic infrastructure maintenance and development (Tk. 896.74 crore), physical infrastructure building and development (Tk. 526.97 crore), electricity, fuel, water and gas bills (Tk. 79 crore) and repairs and renovation Tk. 33.35 crore. Besides, mosquito control equipment for Tk. 194.16 crore, special development Tk. 15 crore, development of civic entertainment facilities Tk. 271.30 crore, environmental development Tk. 151.99 crore and land acquisition and development Tk. 515 crore, new market construction Tk. 200 crore, construction of new modern slaughterhouse Tk. 45 crore and construction of cleaning employees residence Tk. 75.77 crore, etc. Replying to a question from a journalist, Sayeed Khokon said, The prevalence of dengue in the city has already come under control. The situation will improve further by this week. However, the mosquito elimination programme will continue throughout the year. The DSCC has taken up a five-year plan to prevent diseases like dengue and chikungunya by eliminating mosquitoes, he said, adding that manpower will be increased and an independent department named Communicable Diseases and Research Department will be set up. Meanwhile, during the question and answer session, Mayor Khokon slammed the councillors after they lost their temper with a journalist. During the media call following the announcement, some councillors lashed out at Bangla Tribunes journalist Shahed Shafiq when he asked questions about their responsibilities to control the cleaners and anti-mosquito drive employees. The councillors lost their temper and the situation came under control when Khokon stepped in and lashed out at the councillors for their behaviour. Im surprised! Are you people supposed to be councillors? They are our guests, he said.