The Times of India 04.02.2010
Budget estimates raised by Rs 39 crore
SURAT: After three days of discussions, the Standing Committee of Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) on Thursday revised the budget to Rs 2,434 crore, which showed a 15 per cent increase in the proposed draft budget of Rs 2,395 crore earlier presented by municipal commissioner.
The capital expenditure that was pegged at Rs 1,349 crore in the draft budget has been raised to Rs 1,383 crore. The ruling BJP has made special allocations of Rs 50 lakh for the development of Dumas Chopati and Rs 20 lakh for Ovara, allotted special fund of Rs 20 lakh for the preservation and maintenance of poet Narmad's house at Amliran area of the city and increased the grant of local corporators by Rs 1 lakh except that of central zone area elected representatives. These provisions have been made as part of Swarnim Gujarat celebration. Under the same head, a special grant of Rs 50 lakh has been made for moratoriums and Rs 10 lakh each for libraries and public urinals in every zone.
The rebate on the tax paid by senior citizens on their property has also been increased by five per cent. Token allocations have been made for projects being undertaken on PPP basis like foot overbridge constructions with escalators, laser show and I-Max theatre and aquarium tunnel project.
An allocation of Rs 10 lakh has been made for Shantikunj parks for senior citizens in every zone of the city.
The Standing Committee chairman also additionally allocated Rs 1 crore for road re-carpeting in all zones, Rs 2 crore for new ACC roads, Rs 50 lakh for new integrated Gaurav Path in Adajan, Rs 1 crore for setting up swimming pools in Pandesara, Bhatar, Kosad and Rander and Rs 20 lakh for the view tower.
Mukesh Dalal, chairman, standing committee, said, "This reflects the ambitions and wishes of people of Surat. We have tried to focus on basic issues and also on infrastructure development."
