GHMC budget targets slum development

Hyderabad, Jan 10 (INN): The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation on Monday approved the Budget which was presented by Mayor Banda Chandra Kartikha Reddy earlier in the day, with some amendments. The Mayor had presented the budget 2011-12 for the development of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation. Addressing the Council Ms Kartikha Reddy said that the Standing Committee has prepared a Budget of Rs 3,311.4 crore, which includes about Rs 1,279.35 crore as revenue expenditure while another Rs 2031.79 crore as capital expenditure. Development of slums and localities housing the poor sections will be the focus of attention, according to the budget.

The Budget targets property tax as its primary source of income. Ms Karthika Reddy said that even though property taxes had not been raised, officials have succeeded in collecting arrears. She said that the GHMC has targeted Rs 653.39 crore as its income for the forth coming year. The Mayor said that Rs 35 crore was the targeted revenue from tax on advertisements which Rs 60 crore through licenses fees for the business organizations.

She said that income from town planning board is not expected to increase because of the BPS and LRS schemes, but Rs 333.41 crore was expected to come in the GHMC kitty from the permissions for construction of new buildings. In assigned revenues through professional tax, she said that Rs 50.49 crore was received yet but in next year government has partially agreed to give 95 per cent of the full collected amount of tax and was also targeted at Rs 150 crore.

Ms Karthika Reddy added that up to now, about Rs 65 lakh was collected through vehicles tax, as government has agreed to raise it to Rs 50 crore, vehicle tax is shown as Rs 50 crore in the budget. She added that surcharges for property transfer is targeted to bring in about Rs 210 crore for the GHMC, while entertainment tax is targeted to garner another Rs 38.35 crore.

She added that there is a chance of receiving government grants of Rs 287.11 crore through Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, another Rs 500 crore through the Rajiv Awas Yojana, MMTS will get it Rs 217 crore, Rs 188.50 crore through funds from 13th Economic Commission and also from State and Central Governments.

The Mayor further said that Rs 600 crore was taken as loan from banks and other financial institutions for the development of colonies and town and the GHMC has decided to use about Rs 300 crore for the forthcoming year.

She said that about Rs 348.22 crore were allotted for revenue expenses like salaries and pensions, Rs 644.24 crore for execution charges, which includes about Rs 229.76 crore for the maintenance of roads, Rs 104.54 crore for street lights, maintenance of sanitation Rs 229.76, Rs 10.04 crore for sports, Rs 23.55 crore for parks and Rs 36 crore for proper supply of drinking water.

Ms Karthika Reddy also said that Rs 491.43 crore has been allotted through JNNURM Scheme for construction of houses, for construction of flood canals Rs 34.48 crore, while for Charminar Pedestrianisation Project , Rs 9.94 crore has been set apart. She added that another Rs 1.2 crore has been allotted for JNNURM schemes.

The Mayor added said that Rs 215 crore has been set aside for development of highways, Rs 169.18 crore were allotted for construction of flyovers and bridges. She added that the GHMC has also allotted Rs 437.18 crore for the welfare of the poor and backward class people from it surplus amounts.

The Mayor added that through Urban Community Development for the development of Woman and handicaps, 'Asara' programme was going on to provide services to the old-aged people for which about Rs 6 crore were allotted while Rs 10 crore for the eradication of poverty. She finally added that Rs 11.25 crore were allotted for the proper administration through the help of IT authority services.