The New Indian Express 08.01.2010

Seven corporations register

BANGALORE: Upon a review of the progress of works and development across the seven city corporations in the state on Thursday, Urban Development Minister Suresh Kumar on Thursday claimed that 75 per cent utilisation had been registered in the Rs 100-crore special grant provision announced in the last budget. The statement came even as the minister took note that with less than three months to go for the close of this financial year, a collective average of 46 per cent only is the property tax collection registered across these cities — Gulbarga, Davanagere, Hubli-Dharwad, Belgaum, Mysore, Mangalore and Bellary. The lowest in the rank are Gulbarga, Mangalore and Bellary — 24 pc, 30 pc and 46 pc collections respectively. The minister said that of the Rs 265 crore released during the year under the Rs 100-crore grant scheme (for each city corporation), Rs 215 crore had been utilised. Being the first year of the scheme, the corporations took time to submit their action plans. The remaining sum would be carried forward to the next year, he said. Belgaum’s action plan was delayed due to the processes related to Assembly byelection, the Legislative Council elections and the legislature session. DOWN * Mangalore city administration is pushing for a modification of the capital value scheme on property tax. * Gulbarga city procures 14 hearse vans for the exclusive use of SC/ST sections. City officials have no answer for what it expects other communities to do. * Bellary yet to appoint a party for third party inspection of the quality of works, but is through with 21 works under the scheme. UP * City corporations like Hubli- Dharwad and Mysore are told to proceed with collection of the principal sum on water taxes pending the government’s decision on waiver of interest. Mysore in particular is asked to come out with an action plan on the measure. * If the Davanagere city corporation has its way, its pigs and piggery will be out. Alternative livelihood for people engaged in piggery is being explored. The pigs will be housed in city’s outskirts. * Mysore upgrades its traffic signalling system under the Rs 100 crore grant.