GUWAHATI, Aug 27 � Among the most sought after green spaces in the capital city by the citizens to relax and rejuvenate, the Dighalipukhuri park here is one of them. Taking a leisurely stroll or enjoying a boat ride on the pond is a welcome diversion from the mundane city life.
In the last few years, more people have been visiting the park and these include even tourists from outside the State. In view of the increasing footfalls of citizens of all sections and age group, the Assam Tourism Development Corporation has chalked out a slew of development plans and submitted the proposals to the Government.
It needs to be mentioned here that the revenue earnings of the park has increased in the last couple of years.
A corporation official on Friday informed that the revenue earnings from the park in the financial year March 2009 to April 2010 has been to the tune of Rs 4.06 lakh. In the financial year 2008-2009, the revenue earned was Rs 3.80 lakh.
The average collection of the park on any working day is around Rs 3000. However, Sundays are rush days and the park collects between Rs 5000 and above.
�The number of people visiting the park has increased over the years. We have planned to add more recreational facilities in the park to attract more footfalls,� said the official.
Beautification of the park along with addition of facilities is one of the prime concerns of the authorities. To give a more attractive look to the park, a proposal of a hanging bridge has been submitted to the concerned department.
�We are also deliberating with the idea of placing a toy train and an aquarium in the park,� said the official.
The park authorities have also decided to increase the number of boats as this recreational activity is very popular amongst the visitors. Boating on the pond under a pleasant sky is an irresistible option for visitors of all age group. At present, 14 boats including two rowing boats are available to the visitors. The official said that addition of six more boats � that will include a couple of six seater boats � will meet the demand. �We are toying with the idea of introducing a Shikara as that will be more appealing to the visitors,� said the official.
The newly introduced water waking ball too has become popular with the visitors especially amongst the young crowd.
On the other hand, the park authorities have intensified vigil around the park to prevent indecent activities and ensure that the ambience is not irritating to the citizens visiting with their families.
Funds meant for physically challenged wasted, claims NGO
Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Aug 27 � In what comes as an eye-opener, a huge amount of public money meant for procurement and distribution of aid and appliances for the physically challenged population is being wasted year after year, thanks to the lack of any monitoring mechanism on the part of the State Government.
The Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Forum, an Bangalore-based organization working for the rights of the physically challenged, which convened a meeting in the city today to monitor the accessibility of rights of the physically challenged population in the North East, has rued the wastage of huge amount of funds earmarked for the welfare of the physically challenged, urging the authorities concerned to initiate immediate steps to address the issue.
Nicholas Guia Rebelo, executive director, CBR, told The Assam Tribune that the State lacks any mechanism to assess the needs of those in need of aid and appliances and as a result most of the appliances procured are either not used or used ineffectively.
�In many cases, it has been seen that inappropriate or unmatching appliances like hearing aids or wheel chairs are given to the physically challenged during the camps, which fetch them little benefit,� he said.
Today�s meeting was also participated by 25 partners (NGOs) of the CBR, besides representatives of the State Government.
�Moreover, lack of any repair mechanism has further aggravated the problem as a result of which appliances worth a huge amount of money are rusting at godowns,� Rebelo rued.
�What the Government can or should do to do away with the problem is to conduct training programme for the physically challenged and expose them to the technical know-how of the appliances, which would not only help in increasing employability but would also save a lot of public money from being wasted,� he pointed out.
The Commissioner of the Social Welfare Department who attended the meeting assured to look into the matter to streamline the system and ensure that the benefits reach the poor.
