The New Indian Express 09.09.2010
Revised budget to be bigger
BANGALORE: Notwithstanding the criticism the city council’s “unfeasible” budget has attracted, its outlay is expected to swell by `211 crore when its revised version is presented on Thursday.Chairman of the BBMP’s Finance and Taxation Committee P N Sadashiva will present the revised budget, whose outlay is estimated to be around Rs 8,700 crore as against the original outlay of `8,488.54 crore.
Sources said grant for wards was increased by Rs 1 crore in the revised version as the councillors’ clamour for more funds for their wards had dominated the three-day discussions on the budget.
Also, efforts are being made to tax service apartments such as private hospitals to generate revenue for the BBMP.
BBMP properties that were given on lease at throwaway prices would be reviewed and charged as per current rates. Sources said the decision to auction Palike land would also be reconsidered and efforts would be made to retain them with the Palike.
During the three-day discussions on the budget, the Opposition parties had dismissed it as unrealistic and criticised it for depending heavily on loans.
They had alleged that the Palike had no money and the budget would further add to the burdens of the Palike’s loans.
