The Chennai Corporation on Tuesday released the Budget 2017-2018,
which focuses on roads, stormwater drains, parks and streetlights,
keeping property tax rates unchanged. The budget deficit in 2017-2018 is
Rs. 102.56 crore. The deficit has been rising owing to the challenges
in improving revenue from tax collection, a rise in capital expenditure
and interest payment on borrowings. Tax rates have not changed since
1998.

According to budget estimates, the civic body would have a
total revenue of Rs. 5,578 crore and a total expenditure of Rs. 5,680.56
crore in 2017-2018. Corporation Commissioner D. Karthikeyan released
the budget data online on Tuesday as the Model Code of Conduct has been
lifted. According to budget estimates for 2017-2018, the Corporation
will receive a loan amount of Rs. 735 crore from various funding
agencies. The interest payment on loans has increased from Rs. 14 crore
in 2014-2015 to Rs. 155.1 crore in 2017-2018.

The budget estimate
for capital expenditure in 2017-2018 is Rs. 2,185.95 crore. Operation
and maintenance charges for 2017-2018 will be Rs. 801.93 crore because
of a large number of road cuts in various parts of the city. After
completion of projects by agencies such as Metrowater, roads will be
relaid by the Chennai Corporation at Rs. 666.52 crore.

Stormwater
drains would be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 930 crore,
bridges at Rs. 75 crore, streetlights at Rs. 127 crore, buildings
(hospitals/schools) at Rs. 120 crore and parks at Rs. 127 crore. The
estimated revenue through property tax is Rs. 800 crore and profession
tax is Rs. 350 crore.

Solid waste management

The
civic body has earmarked Rs. 10 crore for preliminary work on a modern
solid waste processing plant in Kodungaiyur. Swachh Bharat projects will
be implemented at Rs. 11.97 crore. The civic body will receive a grant
of Rs. 70 crore for Amma canteens and Amma drinking water projects in
various parts of the city.

The expenses on salary for employees in
2017-2018 is estimated at Rs. 971.89 crore. The civic body will pay a
pension of Rs. 341 crore.