The Deccan Herald 03.09.2010
Budget triggers uproar
Bangalore, September 2, DHNS:
The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Council was in uproar on Thursday when the Leader of the Opposition M Nagaraj dismissed the Rs 8,497-crore budget 2010-11 as a ''bogus'', ''deficit'' budget and asked the Mayor to refer it to the Standing Committee.
On the first day of the discussion on the budget, the Council witnessed caustic exchanges between the Ruling and the Opposition benches over the budget proposals presented on Monday.
In his marathon, three and a half hour long speech, Nagaraj said the budget was “inflated” as it was to be funded with loans from financial institutions.
“Take a look at the revenue generated from the same taxes in the year 2009-10. There is a huge inflation in the expectations of the ruling party from the avenues of receipts,” he said.
Nagaraj argued that revenue expected from property tax was Rs 795 crore in 2009-10 against the target of Rs 1,100 crore. “In the last five months, we have done a commendable job by raising Rs 790 crore from 10 lakh properties. But do you sincerely believe that the other 4.5 lakh properties will all pay up to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore in the next seven months,” he asked.
Even the Rs 100 crore expected from advertising revenue was a mere “dream” as the City had as many as 4,000 illegal hoardings with no action against them.
“Last year, the Palike got Rs 17 crore from advertising. I dare the ruling party to raise more than Rs 20 crore during the current financial year,” he said.
Property recovery panel
However, the Opposition Congress welcomed the formation of Property Recovery Committee. On the budget proposal to auction BBMP properties, Nagaraj appealed to the Mayor to first safeguard parks and playgrounds which are under constant threat in such situations. He sought to know from the Commissioner and the Mayor the number of saplings planted in the City, in obvious reference to the proposal to plant five lakh saplings in the City.
On the lakes development project, the Congress termed the entire process of de-weeding and cleaning the lake as “unscientific” and asked the Mayor to recall all tenders given by the BBMP for the rejuvenation of 20 lakes. “With regard to the rest of the 163 lakes, why is the BBMP giving it to the BDA for rejuvenation? Are we not competent,” Nagaraj asked.
Meanwhile, Mallesh (Subhashnagar) said reserved funds for the welfare of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe had been carried forward repeatedly and suggested that funds from SC/ST schemes could be given to wards with more number of slums.
Thimmananjaiya (Peenya Industrial Area) wanted the five independent corporators to be given more funds.
Displaying the inferior quality shoes and bags given to students of the corporation school in his ward, he said SSLC students had not received social studies textbooks. “How will the quality of our schools improve when this is the case,” he questioned.
‘Increase ward level allocation’
Opposition leader M Nagaraj demanded an increase in the ward level allocations as made in the Budget 2010-11. As per the budget proposal each old ward was to get Rs 2 crore for its development and Rs 3 crore for the development of new wards.
Nagaraj demanded that they be revised with allocation of Rs 3.5 crore for old wards and Rs 5 crore for the new wards. “I speak on behalf of all the 198 corporators. We need the funds to carry out projects that will help in the development of the wards,” he said.
