For three years in a row since its
jurisdiction  was expanded, the BBMP has been presenting a budget of
around Rs 9,000 crore but has been able to generate only up to 30 per
cent of the targeted revenue.

Last year, the civic body had
expected Rs 1,300-Rs 1500 crore special grants from the government.
However, it did not receive the funds.

In 2010-11, BBMP expected
Rs 1,300 crore, but received only Rs 300 crore and, in 2011-12, it
expected Rs 1,500 crore, but the government provided only Rs 750 crore.

However, last year, the grants were decreased to Rs 751 crore and BBMP received around `300 crore.

On
the expectations from the new government, BBMP commissioner Siddaiah
said it should release funds for the projects that were announced in
last year’s budget. He said many projects,  approved by BBMP council and
sent to the government for approval, get delayed.

Ruling party
leader in the BBMP council, N Nagaraju, said his party has implemented
many development works. “We need more grants from the state government
to take up many pending works. We also need more funds which have to be
paid towards the pending bills of various contractors,” he said.

With
the city’s population crossing the one crore mark, there is a need to
develop infrastructure and funds are needed for this, he observed.

Meanwhile,
a BJP councillor said the High Court has directed the government to
reserve the mayor or deputy mayor’s post for an ST candidate and the
Congress is trying to take advantage of it as there is no ST councillor
in BJP.

“If that is the case, we are all set to go to court. We will not allow them to take the plum post,” he said.