Fund mobilisation, Swachh Bharat focus areas in NDMC budget

A slight increment in property tax rate for residential buildings, a roadmap for municipal fund mobilisation, parking facility infrastructure upgrade and implementation of Swachh Bharat are among the major highlights of the NDMC Budget that was presented today.
Municipal Commissioner Praveen Kumar Gupta presented the Revised Budget Estimate 2015-16 and Budget Estimate 2016-17 during a special meeting of Standing Committee of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) at the Civic Centre here.
The total estimated revenue for financial year 2016-17 is Rs 6031.63 crore while the revised estimate for the same for 2015-16 is Rs 3522.38 crore, the budget said.

"Seeking avenues to mobilise funds for NDMC, sanitation measures under Swachh Bharat, upgrading of parking facilities and bringing more areas under the tax net to boost revenues would be some of our areas of focus during this new financial year," Gupta said.
The cash-strapped civic body has already begun the Unique Property Identification Code (UPIC) project that aims to streamline database of properties under its jurisdiction.
"There has been a slow progress on UPIC, we agree, but if we can bring the next 60 wards to be surveyed under the project within the ambit of UAM (Unit Area Method) for assessment, we can boost property tax collection by 140 per cent," he later told reporters.

The municipal commissioner also said provisions have been made for implantation of cleanliness drive under the Swachh Bharat mission.

"We had made this as one of our areas of focus in the last budget too, and this year too it is," he said.
"A provision of Rs 5 crore has been made in the next financial year for proper reuse of Bhalaswa landfill site... Plans are also afoot to bring corporate houses as partners to maintain community toilets under the Swachh Bharat," he said.
For upgrading civic infrastructure, the NDMC has planned a three-level basement parking facility at Gandhi Maidan to decongest bustling Chandni Chowk area.

Plans are also afoot to build similar facilities in Pitampura, Shalimar Bagh, Dangal Maidan opposite Old Delhi railway station, Karol Bagh, among other areas, the budget said.
As per the budget, for residential properties, the
approved existing tax rate for 2015-16 is 12 per cent for colonies falling in categories A and B, while for the next financial year, it has been proposed to be hike to 14 per cent.
Similarly, for categories C, D and E colonies, it has proposed to be hiked from 11 per cent to 12 per cent.
"For non-residential properties, coaching centre having more than 50 students have been proposed to be included in a different category of taxation. Also, jewellery shops, guest houses, inns, lodges, restaurant without bars or AC, liquor shops have been proposed to be included," the budget said.

The Budget deficit for 2016-17 has been estimated at Rs 2754 crore due to outstanding dues for contractors, safai karamcharis and implementation of the recommendations of 7th Pay Commission, Gupta said.
Implementation of the Fourth Delhi Finance Commission's recommendations can also ease out economic woes of the corporation. Besides, we are trying to mobilise funds by exploiting unused properties under our jurisdiction, he added.
"The Delhi government also owes us municipal reform funds and help from their side would also strengthen the financial capacity of NDMC," he said.
The corporation has also proposed to set up a centralised helpline for connecting with citizens.

"A fund of Rs 1 crore is expected to be spent over three years for this project. Rs 10 lakh would be spent on it in this financial year," as per the budget.
"Plans is also to give 91 parking sites to one concessionaire to allow ease of operations and keep the parking mafia a bay," he added.
A solar unit has been installed at a primary school at Turkman Gate, and based on results, it would be implemented in other places too.
"Computer education would be brought in 30 model schools and new buildings would be constructed to upgrade the infrastructure," he said.

On dog menace control, the commissioner said, this year two new NGOs Krishna Ashram and Neighbourhood Woof have been hired on contract for catching stray canines.
"In this year till September, 2,312 stray dogs were rounded up and sterilised," he said.
Kamala Market outside New Delhi Railway Station and Bungalow Road market area have also been proposed to be redeveloped into swanky commercial properties.