The Hindu          30.03.2011

Shimoga CMC approves surplus budget of Rs. 1.36 crore

K.S. Gangadharappa, president of City Municipal Council, speaking after presenting the budget of the year 2011-12 at the meeting of the body in Shimoga on Tuesday. Commissioner Jayyanna and Vice-President B. Satyanarayan are seen.

The meeting of City Municipal Council held on Tuesday has approved a surplus budget of Rs. 1.36 crore for 2011-12.

With an opening balance of Rs. 2.73 crore, revenue mobilisation by CMC during the period is estimated to be Rs. 140.36 crore while the expenditure is expected to be Rs. 141.73 crore. President K.S. Gangadharappa, who presented the budget proposal, said that additional funds would be provided to ensure regular supply of drinking water and maintain cleanliness.

The State Government had released Rs. 25 crore for asphalting 100 km road in the city limits under special scheme of the State Finance Commission. In addition to this, Rs. 18.92 crore had been released towards compensating the persons who would be subjected to eviction during road widening.

A new package had been designed to maintain cleanliness and sanitation in 25 wards of the city for which Rs. 8.30 crore had been allotted. He said the package would be enforced in a few months. Reiterating CMC's commitment to fulfil its social obligations, he said Rs. 1.60 crore had been provided in the budget for social and economic empowerment of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Rs. 44 lakh for the welfare of persons from low-income groups while Rs. 18 lakh had been earmarked for social and economic empowerment of the people with disabilities.

The completion of construction of commercial complex at Bekkinakalmath, B.H. Road, Gopi Circle, Ashoka Circle, Nehru Road and Vinobha Nagar will bring additional revenue for the CMC. He said that Rs. 1 crore had been earmarked for the construction of city service bus-stand adjacent to the private bus-stand.

CMC is expecting financial aid of Rs. 15 crore under the Chief Minister's Small and Medium Towns Development Project.

The main junctions in the city would be widened to ensure free vehicular movement. Arch shaped entry gates would be built along the main roads at a cost of Rs. 50 lakh. For afforestation, Rs. 50 lakh had been reserved to plant saplings along the road side and install tree guards for them.

In addition to this, Rs. 2 crore had been allotted to develop parks in all 35 wards in the city, he said.

Vice-President B. Satyanarayan and Commissioner Jayyanna were present.