The Hindu       30.03.2011

Rs. 3-crore surplus budget for MCC

Chairman of the MCC Standing Committee on Taxation, Finance and Appeals Shivakumar presenting the budget in Mysore on Tuesday. — PHOTO: M.A. SRIRAM

The annual budget of the Mysore City Corporation (MCC) expects revenue of Rs. 419.22 crore from various sources for the year 2011-12. With the addition of the opening balance of Rs. 7.73 crore, the total amount available for spending will be Rs. 426.96 crore. The total expenditure for the year is estimated at Rs. 423.92 crore, leaving a surplus of Rs. 3.04 crore.

The budget was presented by Chairman of the MCC Standing Committee on Taxation, Finance and Appeals Shivakumar here on Tuesday.

Mr. Shivakumar, who presented the budget at the meeting presided over by Mayor Sandesh Swamy, said the MCC would earn Rs. 191.62 crore from its own sources during the year. JNNURM grants of Rs. 112.36 crore were expected followed by State Finance Commission grants of Rs. 105.79 crore, 13th Finance Commission grant of Rs. 13.44 crore and MPLAD and MLA local area fund development grants of Rs. 3.75 crore.

The MCC would mobilise Rs. 59.88 crore by way of property tax during the year 2011-12. An amount of Rs. 57 crore would be mobilised by way of water tax by installing meters for water connections in households, Mr. Shivakumar said. A sum of Rs. 10 crore was expected from various services such as building licence fees, floor area rent, road cutting charges, water connection fees and penalties.

Among the major areas of expenditure, Rs. 42.43 crore would be set aside for salaries and allowances, Rs. 49.35 crore for office expenditure, Rs. 35.6 crore for repairs and maintenance, Rs. 18.7 crore for repair and maintenance (Vanivilas Waterworks) and Rs. 52.1 crore for investments.

The MCC proposed spending Rs. 14 crore on taking up and maintaining underground drainage works, Rs. 8 crore for the welfare of backward and minority communities, Rs. 3 crore for construction of six zonal offices of the MCC in the first stage and Rs. 2 crore for the renovation of the Government Guest House.

People with disabilites and members of self-help groups would be enlisted to help with solid waste management at nine identified places in the city.

A programme called ‘Ullasa Ananda' under which music would be played in parks for the benefit of walkers and joggers would be taken up in the current year. A sum of Rs. 4.5 crore would be earmarked for the same, Mr. Shivakumar said. Mr. Shivakumar proposed providing insurance cover for existing roads. Contractors would be asked to maintain the roads for a period of three years. He said that for the first time, the MCC proposed buying chlorine dioxide at a cost of Rs. 3 crore for purification of drinking water.

A good sum would be spent on web-based monitoring of various public works.

Deputy Mayor Pushpalata and Commissioner K.S. Raikar were present.