The Times of India               15.05.2013

Civic nod to Rs 1.55 crore surplus budget

NASHIK: The general body of the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) on Tuesday passed a budget of Rs 2,359.95 crore for the fiscal 2013-14 with a surplus of Rs 1.55 crore without any hike in property and water tax.

On February 18, municipal commissioner Sanjay Khandare had presented a budget proposal of Rs 1,556.80 crore for the current fiscal to the then standing committee chairman Uddhav Nimse. The committee had revised the budget suggesting measures to increase the revenue of the civic body by Rs 803.15 crore, thereby increasing it to Rs 2,359.95 crore.

"Approval has been being given to a civic budget of Rs 2,359.95 crore with the inclusion of suggestions by members. Local Body Tax (LBT) is being implemented in the limits of NMC shortly and we hope that the civic administration will net 20% more revenue through it, as was the case while collecting octroi during 2012-13," said mayor Yatin Wagh.

"The Kumbh mela is scheduled in 2015 and works need to be completed before it begins. A provision of Rs 200 crore has been made in the budget for it and the all pivotal works should be carried out by December 2014. Moreover, the municipal commissioner should draft a separate sports policy. A provision of Rs 25 crore has been made for cemetery and crematorium for citizens of all religions," Wagh said.

The measures suggested by the standing committee include a hike of Rs 43.45 crore in the revenue collected from property and other taxes that was originally projected at Rs 136.12 crore by the municipal commissioner. The committee has also suggested a hike of Rs 23 crore in the revenue collected through development tax and Rs 37.23 crore increase in revenue from services and amenities that were originally projected at Rs. 47.77 crore.

Presenting the budget at the general body meeting, standing committee chairman Ramesh Dhongade said, "My priority was to focus on civic works and hence, no tax hike has been made in the budget. It is necessary to be economical in case of revenue expenditure. A survey of NMC's all residential and commercial properties and computerization of tax recovery systems are needed to increase revenue. It can increase if the related department makes cent per cent recovery of house tax, water tax and other taxes. This will help us in carrying out maximum developmental works in the city."

Funds allotted for various activities

Rs 200 crore for acquisition of land for upcoming Kumbh mela

Rs 109.80 crore to 122 corporators for various civic works (Rs 90 lakh for each corporator)

Rs 50 crore for proposed water filtration plant in Panchavati

Rs 30 crore for development of 22 villages in the limit of NMC

Rs 50 crore to make Godavari river pollution-free

Rs 25 crore for maintenance of cemetery and crematoriums

Rs 3 crore as a token amount for late Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray's monument

Rs 3 crore for water audit

Rs. 25 crore to develop playgrounds

Rs 15 crore for proposed multi-purpose playground in Panchavati

Rs 10 crore to build swimming tanks in city

Rs 25 crore for building toilets for women near bus stops, general markets and vegetable markets

Rs 20 crore to build gymnasiums and yoga hall for women

Rs 5 crore to build training centre for women

Rs 21.50 crore for various projects for blind and physically impaired people

Rs 60 crore to build bridges on Godavari river and pedestrian bridges on highways and major roads

Rs 10 crore to develop Godavari ghat

Rs 7 crore for tree plantation along river banks

Rs 69.62 crore for NMC education board

Rs 3 crore to buy equipment for gymnasiums

Rs 1 crore to build new gymnasiums

Rs 36.48 crore for welfare of backward people

Rs 191.13 crore for construction of roads

Rs 5 crore to commence post-graduate courses jointly with MUHS

Rs 2 core for boating club

Rs 50 crore for women empowerment

The NMC has made a provision of Rs 50 crore for empowerment of women of which Rs 25 crore is to be spent to construct toilets for them near bus stops, general markets and vegetable markets. Besides, a provision of Rs 20 crore has been made to build gymnasiums and yoga halls for women. Moreover, a training centre will be built for women at a cost of Rs 5 crore.

How revenue will be generated

Rs 930 crore: Octroi/LBT

Rs 179.57 crore: Property and other taxes

Rs 85 crore: Services and amenities

Rs 75 crore: Development tax

Rs 73 crore: Water tax

Rs 376.99 crore: Kumbh mela grant

Rs 63.83 crore: Overdrafts

Rs 225 crore: Cash credit and bonds

Rs 195 crore: Compensation from NHAI

Rs 25 crore: Taxes on construction cost

Rs 100 crore: NMC properties to be developed on BOT basis for commercial purposes

Rs 30 crore: Royalty on water from India Bulls

How the money will be spent

Rs 161.52 crore: Administration expenses for recovery of taxes

Rs 47.63 crore on public safety

Rs 254.72 crore on public health and facilities

Rs 8.62 crore on public education

Rs 30 lakh grants to public institutes

Rs 189.89 crore on miscellaneous works

Rs 76.10 crore on water distribution management

Rs 56.25 crore on sewage treatment management

Rs 92.66 crore on facilities to the poor people

Rs 1,377.36 crore as capital expenses

Rs 90.35 on overdrafts

Rs 1.55 crore on surplus amount