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.

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.