Dharamsala MC passes Rs 141.51 crore budget, focuses on green energy

The Dharamsala Municipal Corporation (MC) today passed a budget of Rs 141.51 crore, introducing various development projects, tax incentives and cess hikes. Mayor Neenu Sharma said the budget aligns with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s vision of making Himachal Pradesh a green energy state.

A key highlight of the budget is a 10% rebate in property tax for homeowners who install at least 3 kV solar panels on their rooftops. This initiative aims to encourage residents to shift towards renewable energy. To increase revenue, the MC raised the liquor cess from Rs 3 to Rs 5 per bottle and the electricity cess from 1 paise per unit to 10 paise per unit.

The MC has allocated Rs 2 crore to develop model vending zones to support street vendors. Additionally, a budget of Rs 5 lakh has been set aside for animal birth control programmes, including administering anti-rabies vaccines to stray dogs. The corporation also plans to plant 10,000 more trees across Dharamsala.

To promote sustainable development, the MC has made rainwater harvesting structures mandatory for all domestic and commercial buildings. Building permits will only be issued if these structures are installed.

To tackle the city’s growing parking issues, the MC proposed constructing a multilevel parking facility. A formal proposal will be sent to the state government for approval. Additionally, the MC will introduce a yellow-line parking system across all city wards, allowing residents to park their vehicles in designated areas for a nominal fee.

Door-to-door garbage collection fees will now be collected using POS machines, ensuring transparency. Residents paying the annual fee in advance will receive a 10% discount.

Each of the 17 MC wards will receive at least Rs 1 crore for developmental projects. The MC will also provide space in the city for self-help groups from rural areas to market their products.

A budget of Rs 20 lakh has been allocated for the repair and maintenance of ‘Rane Basera,’ a night shelter for the poor. The facility will accommodate 50 persons, offering private rooms and dormitories.

The MC also passed a resolution to send six Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) to the state government for approval. These include: development of a pedestrian-friendly street – Rs 11 crore; development of charan area – Rs 7.66 crore; development of green spaces – Rs 1.56 crore; development of modular toilets – Rs 1.35 crore; development of a roundabout – Rs 1.04 crore; and construction of a multilevel parking near police grounds – Rs 9.46 crore.

Mayor Neenu Sharma emphasised that the execution of these projects would depend on funding from the state government. The budget reflects Dharamsala MC’s commitment to sustainable development, better urban infrastructure and improved public amenities, she added.