MCD chief presents Rs 16,530-cr budget, Rs 4.7K cr for sanitation

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has proposed an allocation of Rs 4,795 crore for sanitation and Rs 2,520.34 crore for education sector in its budget for 2026–27, while keeping tax rates unchanged for residents.

Presenting the key provisions on Friday, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Commissioner Ashwini Kumar said no new tax has been proposed and the focus will remain on expanding the tax base rather than increasing tax rates. The total expenditure for 2026-27 has been estimated at Rs 16,530 crore, with major allocations earmarked for sanitation, education (15%) and health (12%).

Kumar said the civic body has gained significant revenue due to tax buoyancy under the Suniyo Scheme, through which arrears dating back to 2003 are being recovered. Around Rs 600 crore has already been collected and more taxpayers are expected to join the system this year.

Kumar added that the corporation has abolished factory licences and general trade licences, merging them with the property tax mechanism to promote ease of doing business. “People can simply pay property tax now, no need for separate trade licences,” he said. A similar move is planned for health trade licences soon. Addressing the corporation’s Rs 15,791 crore establishment and debt burden, the Commissioner said increasing internal revenue remains a priority. “We will enhance property tax collections, expand advertisement revenue and implement user charges in a transparent manner to improve financial health,” he added.

On civic challenges, Kumar said work is underway to expand dog shelters and ABC sterilisation and litter pickers for air-pollution control and construct 600 km of new roads by March.