BANGALORE: The State Government on Tuesday approved the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike's budget for 2006-07, but with some modifications.

Though the total outlay of Rs. 1,870 crore remains unchanged, the Government has reduced the Mayor's discretionary quota amount from Rs. 25 crore to Rs. 10 crore. The Government, however, has turned down the BMP's decision to allocate Rs. 5 crore for the Deputy Mayor's discretionary quota. Funds were allocated for the Deputy Mayor's discretionary quota for the first time, official sources said.

Similarly, the Government has drastically cut the amount earmarked for each Assembly constituency falling under the BMP limits.

The civic body, in its budget, had allocated Rs. 60 crore for each constituency, the sources said.

When contacted, Mayor Mumtaz Begum told The Hindu that she would lead a delegation to the Chief Minister demanding an increase in the allocation for the Mayor's discretionary fund.

"While the amount for the Mayor's discretionary fund is increased every year, the Janata Dal (Secular)-Bharatiya Janata Party Government has brought it down this year, apparently because I belong to the Congress. I will also take up the matter with my party leaders," Ms. Begum said.

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