The annual budget of New Delhi Municipal Council, which is presented every year on January 15, got delayed by one month this year as its staff were preoccupied with the recently held assembly elections.
The civic agency's budget for 2014-15 will now be presented before the council on February 15, NDMC officials said.
"Our Expenditure staff were busy with the election process. Hence the budget could not be completed on time, as it takes 2-3 months to study and prepare the budget. It will be presented next month in the council meeting," NDMC Financial advisor Kumar Hrishikesh said.
The Delhi assembly elections were held on December 4 last year. The budget since the last three years has a fixed presentation date i.E. January 15. It was for the first time that the preparation has been delayed by one month.
However, according to the NDMC act, the corporation has time till March to present the budget before the council.
"According to the law, we have time till March 31 to present it. It will be presented next month," Hrishikesh said.
The budget, till now is estimated to be Rs 2200 crore, NDMC officials said. One of the main highlights of the budget will be to provide 24 hour water supply in NDMC areas.
The agency, besides giving 24 hour water supply, also aims to improve the water distribution structure by cutting down on 40 per cent water wastage.
Another inclusion in the budget this time is the refurbishment of nine markets transferred to NDMC from Land and Development Office.
These markets include Khan Market, Shankar Market, Khanna Market, Sarojini and Bhagat Singh Market.
