NMC budget outlay at Rs 1,128.94 crore

Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has passed the budget for the fiscal year 2007-08 with an outlay of Rs 1,128.94 crore. However, city residents can be happy that the budget has no proposals to hike taxes.

The provision of Rs 111 crore as NMC's contribution (of 30 per cent) under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) project works for the current fiscal year has been made.

Various projects such as parking zones on reserved land, IT Park at Nashik Road, sports-ground, Ramsrishti, Nashik Festival, Mayoral Cup, etc have been announced in the budget. NMC has also decided to make financial provisions to find complete solution on water for future through Kashyapi, Kikawi and Gautami dams.

Last month, NMC Commissioner Vilas Thakur had submitted the budget with an outlay of Rs 1,033.94 crore, which the Standing Committee increased by 9.18 per cent (by Rs 95 crore) to Rs 1,128.94 crore.

Presenting the budget at the general body meeting, Sharad Koshire, Chairman, Standing Committee, NMC, said, "No tax hike has been made in the budget. Hence, the administration needs to adopt economical policy while spending the revenue. New octroi rules and NMC's policy of concessions to new & sick industries have given boost to the industrial development of the city. As a result, substantial rise in NMC's revenue through octroi is expected. This will help spend maximum on various development works in the city."

The budget focusses on strengthening basic infrastructure, improving quality of municipal services like water, sanitation, roads and other infrastructure.

The budget provides Rs 2.30 crore for flyover at Katya Maruti in Panchavai, Rs 5 crore for proposed building of Panchavati and Nashik Road Divisional Offices, Rs 2 crore for Ramsrishti, Rs 25 lakh for renovation of historical structure 'Sarkarwada', Rs 1 crore each for Nashik festival, renovation & modernisation of Indira Gandhi Hospital, Mayoral Cup, construction of new auditorium in New Nashik areas and home loans for NMC employees.

The municipal corporation hopes to raise Rs 562.06 crore through various taxes. As much as Rs 442.67 crore through various grants including JNNURM with Centre, state & NMC's contribution, Rs 27.65 crore through tax-free bonds fund and Rs 45.71 crore through overdrafts.

The local body has Rs 50.85 crore as initial balance. NMC pegs income from octroi at Rs 422.50 crore. The break-up of other tax revenues are as follows: property and other taxes Rs 88.51 crore, development tax Rs 20 crore and water cess Rs 31.05 crore.

The budget has proposed to spend Rs 51.54 crore on the administration and for recovery of taxes, Rs 20.37 crore for public safety, Rs 95.04 crore for public health and facilities, Rs 36.66 for public education, Rs 706.47 crore on capital expenditure, Rs 38.43 crore for water distribution management, Rs 9.33 for sewage treatment management, Rs 1 crore for effluent treatment management and Rs 135.27 crore for miscellaneous purposes.

As much as Rs 706.47 crore has been proposed for capital expenses, which will include the provision of Rs 207.99 crore for construction, Rs 22.60 crore for water supply, Rs 16.08 crore for drainage scheme, Rs 21.03 crore for drainage scheme phase-II, Rs 10.38 crore for development of the city gardens, Rs 7.67 crore for electricity, Rs 30 crore for land acquisition, Rs 10.80 crore for purchase of vehicles & computers, Rs 2.80 crore for Godavari Action Plan and Rs 377 crore for development work projects under JNNURM.