The Hindu 25.03.2010

Rs. 6.14-crore deficit budget presented

Staff Reporter

— Photo: K. Ganesan.

DEVELOPMENT PLAN:Mayor G. Thenmozhi presenting the Corporation budget in the city on Wednesday. Commissioner S. Sebastine is also seen.

MADURAI: Mayor G. Thenmozhi on Wednesday presented a Rs.6.14 crore deficit outcome budget for the Madurai Corporation for the years 2010-2011.

The revenue and capital receipt have been pegged at Rs. 938.80 crore as against the revenue and capital expenditure of Rs. 944.94 crore. The works taken up under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission alone contribute an estimated receipt and cost of Rs. 678.90 crore.

The highlight of the budget is allocation of Rs. 5 lakh ward development fund for each of the 72 councillors. A multi-level vehicle parking facility at a cost of Rs. 9.20 crore had been planned at the present Central Vegetable Market site.

Decorative light around Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple at a cost of Rs. 51 lakh, renovation of Pudumandapam at a cost of Rs. 4.10 crore, beautification of Vilakkuthoon memorial at a cost of Rs. 40 lakh and beautification of Mariamman Teppakulam at a cost of Rs. 5 crore planned.

The Mayor hoped that all the development works could be implemented by mobilising revenue through various activities, including levying property tax for new and additional buildings.

The Deputy Mayor, P.M. Mannan, Corporation Commissioner, S. Sebastine, were present.

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Congress dubbed the budget as “photocopy of last year's budget,” “customary” and “without any new schemes.”

The AIADMK leader, P. Salaimuthu, objected to including the photograph of Union Minister, M.K. Alagiri, in the budget copy. The CPI (M) blamed the administration for having failed to collect over Rs. 40 crore property tax arrears for Government buildings. The Left party members too walked out shouting slogans that the Corporation was deceiving the city residents.

The Congress member, I. Siluvai, sprang a surprise for the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam by condemning the administration for having “deceived” the people by not implementing many of the schemes announced in last budget. Many of them found a place in this year's budget too, he said.

The leak detecting vehicle was not functioning, mobile computer training centre had not been commissioned, Rs. 2 lakh ward development fund for councillors was not given, underground drainage scheme not implemented and new tar and concrete roads were not laid, he said.

“The Centre's fund (through the JNNRUM) has not been properly spent,” he said. The tricycles and trolley bought under the scheme were already in bits and pieces, he alleged. He said that the Corporation had not been functioning in the last two months.

The council leader, KR. Murugesan, commended the Mayor for the budget that contained many welfare works.