MC Budget: No fresh taxes, new projects

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 16

The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation today passed a budget of Rs 1,005 crore, out of which Rs 339 crore will be under the Capital Head, while 666 crore will be under the Revenue Head.

In the budget, there were no new taxes on the public. Besides, there was no new major project for city residents in the Budget passed by the MC today.

The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation has already got Budget allocation of Rs 419 crore from the Centre for the next fiscal 2017-18.

Though the MC has passed a Budget of Rs 1005 crore, there will be a challange for the MC to increase its revenue generation. Congress councillor Davinder Babla said, the MC had failed to bring any new project in the Budget.

He also said that in the next fiscal, reduction in welfare expenses for public health, Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), bridges and roads clearly pointed towards misplaced priorities of the civic body.

Nominated councillor Charanjiv Singh had submitted his Budget suggestions in writing to the MC in which he demanded beautification and up grading of all sector markets, besides many other suggestions for the traders’ community.

MC Commissioner B Purusharta said the MC’s credit rating, which was done to check credit worthiness of the corporation, was poor. It was BBB, which is not good, the Commissioner said.

Proposed budget under capital

Building and roads : Rs 45 crore

Civic works: Rs 24 crore

Solid waste management and allied services: Rs 22 crore 

Augmentation of city water supply system: Rs 79 crore

Primary education: Rs 5 crore

Primary health: Rs 8 crore

Fire and emergency: Rs 32 crore

Basic amenities/service of EWS: Rs 12 crore

Infrastructure facilities in villages: Rs 12 crore