Ranchi: Shortage of funds dominated discussions at the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) board meeting on Saturday, where civic officials cautioned that a lack of resources is crippling public welfare initiatives.Mayor Roshni Khalkho said, “Public representatives are currently operating without any dedicated funds for welfare projects. Minor development works are only being carried out through CSR initiatives and cooperation of local MPs and MLAs.”Khalkho said that multiple development proposals have been submitted to the urban development department for approval and funding.The meeting, which addressed a 25-point agenda covering sanitation, encroachment and vendor rehabilitation, was attended by minister of state for defence and Ranchi MP Sanjay Seth, Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Maji and local MLA C P Singh.Seth proposed an innovative pilot project to install 10-15-metre overhead sheets at major traffic signals to shield two-wheeler riders. He also suggested reviving popular public initiatives like ‘Raahgiri Day’ and night markets and setting up open gyms in every ward.On the issues of street vendors, including those at Morabadi and Ratu Road, Seth urged the RMC to allocate them organised spaces. “I have identified a ground opposite the Pandra police outpost where RMC can create vending spaces,” he said.The minister advocated for the implementation of a police commissionerate system and the formation of Nagarik Suraksha Samitis (citizen protection committees) in every ward.Countering the debate on resource allocation, Maji emphasised that substantial central govt support is vital to secure adequate funding for the corporation. She focused on the need for immediate administrative intervention to tackle severe waterlogging in affected areas and improve the waste management system.The board also deliberated on renaming Ratu Road to ‘Syama Prasad Mukherjee Path’, among other issues.
The board meeting in progress on Saturday