Chandigarh MC passes Rs 1,132 cr deficit budget

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 6

Mayor Kuldeep Kumar Dhalor today presented Rs 1,132 crore deficit budget for the fiscal 2024-25 in the MC House meeting that was attended only by Aam Aadmi Party and Congress alliance councillors.

Total Rs 2,325.21 crore budget was passed. The MC is getting Rs 560 core grant-in-aid (GIA) from the UT Administration, besides it is expecting Rs 633.46 crore earning from its own resources. Of the total budget, Rs 420.65 crore is the capital expenditure, while Rs 1,464.69 crore is the revenue expenditure.

The corporation will look for more funds under the revised budget or project-based funds from the Administration. Like previous years, the MC prepares its budget estimate based on 4th Delhi Finance Commission’s recommendation of increasing its share from 17.5% to 30% of the total receipts of the UT Administration. But, it never got the GIA as per the said recommendations.

Various facilities such as city infrastructure, health facilities, management of stray dogs, construction of new libraries, construction of community centres, construction of bio methanation plant, construction of ETP in cow sheds were proposed in the budget.

A huge budget has been provisioned for laying TT water pipeline, providing 24 hours water, modern urban amenities in rural areas, maintenance of EWS colonies and vending zones. Along with this, Mayor Kuldeep Kumar also announced the launch of a strong grievance redressal system.

Edu, community centres

A budget of Rs 1 crore has been kept for setting up libraries in all community centers to raise the level of education in the city. Rs 7.15 crore has been budgeted for upgrading the infrastructure of community centers and construction of new community centres.

Bio-methanation plant

A budget of Rs 37.50 crore has been kept for construction of bio-methanation plant in a cowshed located at Raipur Kalan.

TT water pipe line

A budget of Rs 72 crore has been kept for laying 154 km long TT water pipeline inside the city. Through this, TT water will be supplied to more than 1,900 gardens, parks and green belts.

24-hr water supply

Manimajra residents will get 24 hours water from June. Apart from this, water will be supplied in Dhanas, Khudda Ali Sher, Khudda Lahore, Khudda Jassu, Kembwala, Raipur Kalan and Sarangpur. For which a budget of Rs 50 crore has been kept. During the budget, Mayor Kuldeep Kumar also announced to provide water connections to all the houses outside Lal Dora this year.

Stray dog menace

City residents are facing a lot of problems due to stray dogs. Implementation of the entire by-law has been announced in the budget. Last year, a budget of Rs 50 lakh was kept for this that was increased to Rs 2 crore this time. Under this, more ABC centers will be opened to check stray dog menace.

Amenities for rural areas

A budget has announced to provide modern urban facilities in villages of Chandigarh. For which a budget of Rs 7.40 crore has been kept for further expansion of infrastructure in Kaimbwala, Dhanas, Khudda Jassu, Khudda Lahore, Khudda Alisher and Sarangpur.

Upkeep of EWS colonies

A budget of Rs 6 crore has been kept this year for maintenance and troubleshooting of EWS colonies. The budget was Rs 2 crore 88 lakh last year.

Delhi-like Mohalla Clinics on cards

A budget of Rs 20 crore has been provisioned for opening of Chandigarh clinics in the city on the lines of Delhi’s mohalla clinics.

Model vending zones in the offing

A budget of Rs 17.10 crore has been kept for vendors (those running small shops) in the city. It was Rs 10.10 crore last year. Mayor Kuldeep Kumar said: “We will create model vending zones in the city.”

‘Mayor Aap Ke Dwar Pe’

The Mayor also announced launch of ‘Mayor Aap Ke Dwar Pe’ campaign for stronger grievance redressal system in the city. Under the drive, the people’s problems will be heard one-by-one in every ward along with the MC and administrative officials and effort will be made to solve them.

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