The Times of India          08.01.2014

SMC presents Rs 4,062 cr draft budget

SURAT: Surat municipal commissioner Manoj Das on Tuesday presented a draft budget estimated at Rs 4,062 crore for the city for the financial year 2014-15. Taxes have not been increased even though capital expenditure will see a massive jump to be highest in the state, keeping with the diamond city's label as one of the fastest growing cities in the country.

No new projects have been listed as the focus of the municipal corporation is clearly on completing the ongoing projects like that of BRTS, urban housing, drainage, water and roads, disposal of plastic, e-waste management, expansion of e-governance and entertainment.

"We have planned for the future, keeping in view the projected population of the city in 2041. We are working to enhance our capacities to the projected level before 2014," said Das.

SMC's property tax income, which was Rs 267.61 crore in 2010-11, is projected to be Rs 680.55 crore in 2014-15. Professional tax collection too is expected to touch Rs 125 crore in 2014-15 from Rs 48.50 crore in 2010-11. "Tax collection has increased by Rs 90 crore in 2013. This was made possible by strengthening the system," Das added.

SMC had gone in for PPP and BOOT models and had even outsourced some activities to cut down on outgo of salaries of staff. This had helped the civic body to bring down its establishment expenses.

SMC's revenue from rent of its properties is set to go up to Rs 30 crore from the present Rs 10 crore. SMC will get additional Rs 230 crore in a year from development of Outer Ring Road. The municipal corporation had got money through various sources, which included road re-instatement grant and primary schools construction grant of Rs 18 crore and Rs 25 crore, respectively, a part of professional tax collected by the state government, impact fee, incremental charges and betterment charges.