We take example of a small town in Brazil, Porto Agrele. Thirty to fourty percent of its population lived in slum clusters. In 1990, “workers Party” formed the government in Porto Agrele. In these slum clusters there were no roads, no sewer connections and there was no drinking water. The people lacked education and therefore, were unlettered. The Workers Party decided that the budget of the town would not be made in the closed rooms of the town hall or in the council of ministers but it would be made in the streets and the colonies of the city.
Porto Agrele was divided into small clusters ofdwellings. In the beginning of the year the people met in these designated clusters and decided what they wanted the most. Some wanted the laying and repair of roads, others wanted drinking water pipeline as a priority; then there were some who wanted a proper sewage system and yet others who wanted teachers in schools. Different people had different demands.
All the demands were compiled and these demands were the basis of a budget.
Why should the budget be made behind the closed doors of an assembly hall?
It should be actually made, in streets and towns,taking into consideration the needs and aspiration
of the people. What is a budget, if not the use of public money for the welfare of the people? This experiment proved fruitful. The party has ruled for the last fifteen years without losing an election.
A report of the World Bank states that this experiment is responsible for development of Porto Agrele. Earlier there was no water but now 98 % of the households have water. 87 % of the house holds have sewer connections and cent percent people are now educated. Earlier corruption was rampant, but the World Bank report states that it has now reduced considerably.
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