HYDERABAD: The Secunderabad Cantonment Board has been skipping its regular monthly meeting, affecting the co-ordination between officials and elected representatives. The monthly meetings are attended by the SCB president, chief executive officers, members of eight wards, nominated members, and the the local MP and MLA as special invitees. Key decisions concerning development and, funds for various projects, building permissions among others have to be discussed and approved by the board.
Mr J. Pratap, a former SCB vice-president said meetings were being held once in two to three months. This year, the SCB has met in March, June and July. It met in April to elect the vice-president. The meeting in July had the GST issue as the main agenda. Former vice-president V. Jayaprakash said public issues and welfare were taking a backseat.
“Decisions like giving permissions to new constructions have to be approved by the board. If meetings are delayed, the applicants are kept waiting for long. The mindset is to hold a meeting only after applications pile up in SCB office rather every month as stated in the Act,” he said. “Due to programmes like sari distribution, Swachata hi Seva and festivals, the meeting was not held. The October meeting will be a crucial one,” he said.
