PCMC Introduces Online Platform for Participatory Budgeting, Boosting Citizen Involvement in Local Development

Pimpri, 1 st August 2024 :- To increase citizen feedback on the neighbourhood
projects through the participatory budget, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal
Corporation (PCMC) has decided to offer public feedback via online mode from
this financial year onwards. This initiative will empower residents to actively
participate in the decision-making process for allocating public funds to various
development projects in their localities of convenience.

The Participatory Budget is an annual city-wide campaign involving extensive
collaboration between the Municipal Corporation and the residents. This
initiative will directly contribute to the city annual budget, ensuring that
citizens’ inputs are considered in financial planning.
The participatory budget which started in the year 2007 was organized via
offline/email mode and required citizens to visit respective zonal offices in case
of form submission. However, from this year onwards, citizen inputs will be
collected through a secure online link and QR code available on the Smart
Sarathi app and the PCMC website, making it convenient for the citizens to
easily offer feedback. Inputs will include suggestions for improvements in
various verticals such as roads, sewage, health, parks and playgrounds, and
streetlights among other public amenities. The process will be overseen by a dedicated Participatory Budgeting Committee, composed of key municipal officials, including the Municipal Commissioner as the Chairperson.

Inputs collected in the current financial year will be considered for the
upcoming financial year budget. For example, inputs for FY 2025-26 will be
gathered in FY 2024-25. Each zone will allocate 10% of the property tax
collected in the previous financial year for participatory budgeting. While
Citizen inputs are suggestive, the Participatory Budgeting Committee retains the
authority to make final decisions on project implementation and budget
allocation.

Balwadkar

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How to submit your inputs for the participatory budget 2025-26

• -Residents can submit their suggestions through a dedicated web link and QR
  code on the PCMC website and Smart Sarathi app.
• -Inputs will include personal information for accurate location identification and
  prioritized suggestions for improvements or requirements in various verticals
  such as roads, water supply, and streetlights.
• -Zonal offices will assess citizen inputs, consult with department heads, and
  allocate budgets based on property tax collections. They will also present their
  findings and budget proposals to the Participatory Budgeting Committee for
  approval.
• -The results of community inputs and zone-wise budget allocations will be
  published in the Annual City Budget document on the PCMC website. The
  Participatory Budgeting Committee will conduct half-yearly reviews to monitor
  the progress of the development works.

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