RAJAHMAHENDRAVARAM : The Rajahmahendravaram Municipal Corporation
(RMC) here on Friday presented `304.25 crore worth budget for the
2017-18 financial year.

However, the Opposition party found fault with the Mayor for
manipulating the figures. On the occasion, City Rural MLA Gorantla
Butchaiah Chowdary appealed to the council members to focus on
development activities by keeping politics aside, as power is not
permanent.

Mayor Pantham Rajani Sesha Sai claimed that the city was moving with
rapid development works on a war footing. Because of Godavari Pushkarams
and the Centre’s AMRUT scheme, the RMC was sanctioned sufficient funds.
The AMRUT scheme will be mainly focusing on drinking water facility and
beautification.

Municipal Commissioner V Vijayarama Raju explained that the budget
estimates this year is `30 crore less than that of previous year only
since there were separate schemes like Building Regulation Scheme last
year.

The civic body collected property tax of `35 crore this year. The RMC is
estimating grants worth `119.65 crore for 2017-18 though Urban Health
Centre grants, MPLADS, Special Development Fund, maintenance special
grants for internal roads and drains works, SC,ST Sub-Plan, AMRUT
grants, etc.

However, the Opposition members alleged that the figures shown in the
budget estimates were incorrect and demanded the Mayor to explain on
what basis and how the budget figures were estimated.

Addressing the Council, Rural MLA Gorantla Butchaiah Chowdary stated
that property tax collections were satisfactory and felt the need to
focus on advertisement and entertainment taxes for improving revenue. He
requested the council members cutting across the party lines to focus
on development and expressed doubt over him contesting in the next
general elections.