In a significant development concerning urban governance and public expenditure, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has found its proposal to hire a private consultant for revising the city's Outdoor Advertisement Policy temporarily stalled. The move, which involves a substantial fee of Rs 39.60 lakh, has sparked debate and scrutiny within the municipal body.
Proposal for Policy 2.0 Faces Hurdles
Officials from the estate TDO department of the AMC had previously drafted and secured approval for the Ahmedabad Outdoor Advertisement Policy. However, a recent proposal submitted to the standing committee sought to allocate Rs 39.60 lakh to a private consultant for revising the existing policy and drafting the new Ahmedabad Outdoor Advertisement Policy 2.0. This initiative comes amid concerns over "visual clutter" caused by indiscriminately placed hoardings, which has been a persistent issue for citizens.
Standing Committee Puts Appointment on Hold
During the standing committee meeting held on Thursday, the appointment of the consultant for this draft was put on hold. The chairman of the committee ordered a presentation to justify why the task of drafting the policy needed to be outsourced to a consultant. This decision reflects growing questions about the necessity of such expenditure, especially given that AMC officials had successfully prepared the previous policy.
Key questions raised during the meeting included:
- If AMC officials already demonstrated capability in drafting the initial policy, why is there a need to pay a massive fee to an outside consultant now?
- What specific expertise does the consultant offer that internal resources lack?
- How will this expenditure be justified to the public, considering the existing challenges in policy implementation?
Background and Legal Challenges
The "Outdoor Advertising Policy 2023" was approved in the standing committee meeting on December 7, 2023, and subsequently in the general board meeting on December 22, 2023. However, it faced legal challenges, with court cases filed against the 2023 policy. Because the first policy could not be implemented effectively, the AMC proposed hiring a consultant to create Policy 2.0. This new draft is being prepared ahead of major international events, such as the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the potential 2036 Olympics, highlighting the urgency for a robust and enforceable framework.
Current Status and Implications
For now, the proposal to hire the consultant remains stalled. The AMC sources indicate that the draft for policy 2.0 is crucial not only for addressing visual clutter but also for aligning with future global events that will put Ahmedabad in the international spotlight. The delay underscores broader issues in municipal governance, including:
- Resource Allocation: Balancing internal capabilities with external consultancy costs.
- Transparency: Ensuring public funds are used efficiently and justifiably.
- Policy Effectiveness: Learning from past implementation failures to create more resilient regulations.
As the standing committee awaits further justification, the outcome of this proposal could set a precedent for how similar tasks are handled in the future, impacting urban planning and public accountability in Ahmedabad.
