284 suggestions made by common people covered in VMC draft budget

Vadodara: In a first for the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC), citizens were invited to actively participate in the budget planning process this year. A total of 835 residents submitted 1982 suggestions for the upcoming budget.

From January 16th to January 26th, residents sent their suggestions via email to VMCBUDGET2526@VMC.GOV.IN, focusing on improvements and initiatives related to their localities.

Out of the numerous suggestions received, 511 were already under implementation by the corporation. The VMC found 284 suggestions to be particularly relevant and feasible, and these have been incorporated into the draft budget for the fiscal year 2025-26.

A further 632 suggestions are currently under review and will be considered by relevant authorities for future implementation. Additionally, 362 suggestions relating to governance, administration, technical aspects, and sanitation will be assessed separately by the corporation.

Some suggestions were not deemed suitable for implementation, while 39 others pertained to different government departments. The VMC has stated that these will be forwarded to the appropriate departments for their consideration.

The initiative marks a significant step towards participatory budgeting in Vadodara, allowing residents to directly contribute to the city’s development plans and fostering a sense of ownership in the process. The large number of suggestions received underscores the community’s engagement and desire to play a role in shaping their local environment. The VMC’s willingness to incorporate citizen feedback into the budget process signals a positive shift towards collaborative governance. DeshGujarat