Question

Please identify at least three ways that your local government affects your daily life, then identify what are the sources of funding to carry out those functions. In your opinion, is the service/program effective, and is the funding adequate? If not, what would you propose to improve funding for that service/program?

Answer 1

As we all know the local government has the responsibility to implement new schemes which are beneficial for the upliftment of the citizens. Basically, the government has to see proper education is provided to all citizens through setting up of educational institutions, technical colleges, etc. Secondly, the welfare of the citizen is another prime concept. Senior citizens are to be well protected in society. Likewise, widows are to protect. Thirdly the peace and tranquillity of society are also very important. To uphold all the above values the government has to accumulate funds from various sources.

When the countries have faced a tsunami, the local government has to take all the steps to prepare the citizens to overcome the effects of the tsunami. Thousands of people lost their lives and more than that lost their shelters. Epidemic also broke out in various parts. Crores of rupees have to be found out for the construction of houses for these victims. Crores of rupees have to be found out for fighting against the epidemics. Here the government has to find out the ways to augment the sources. Primarily they have to put this burden on the citizens equally or proportionally by various methods. Increase the tax of various items. Then a benevolent fund contribution can be formed for which the donations made by the citizens may be exempted from income tax.

Another source can be to increase the road taxes slightly without overburdening the citizens. This also will contribute a fairly large share in the fund's augmentation. For the educational institution setting up in the various parts, cess can be adopted where a major chunk of the population are unknowingly participated with the help of other socialservice societies. Some of the major program can be executed with the help of institutional organisations for the use of contributing houses for the poor. Salary challenge of the government employees will make a lot of difference in this funds collection. Either government can strictly order the salary challenge or they can request the employees who are willing to contribute one day or two day salaries. To make it more effectively tax benefits can be extended to these donations also.

I am of the opinion for the development of works or for any other urgent matters funds may not be a problem. We have many number of sources adequate funds can be accumulated. The only concern is that efficient government and efficient machineries must be on the rail to face these situations.