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Friday, Dec 05, 2008
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MCD budget to focus on infrastructure issues

Staff Reporter

‘Budget will touch all-time high mark of Rs.6,000-crore’

NEW DELHI: Delhi Municipal Commissioner K. S. Mehra will be presenting revised budget estimates for 2008-09 as well as budget estimates for 2009-2010 in respect of the general wing as well as slum and jhuggi-jhonpri wing of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi at its Standing Committee meeting on Friday.

The announcement was made by MCD Standing Committee chairman Vijender Gupta on Thursday.

According to Mr. Gupta, during the financial year 2006-07, the budget estimates were to the tune of Rs.2,800 crore which shot up to Rs.4,000 crore in 2007-08 and Rs.5,000 crore in 2008-09. “However in 2009-10 the budget will touch the Rs.6,000-crore mark which will be an all-time record,” he added.

Mr. Gupta said the budget would ensure that no new taxes, fees and penalties are imposed on citizens and the rates of existing taxes, fees and penalties remain unchanged. “The shortcomings will be met through economy in expenditure and strict financial discipline without reducing the expenditure on development activities. The focus will be on all-round infrastructure development of Delhi. A considerable amount will be spent on various projects keeping in view the upcoming Commonwealth Games in 2010,” he added.

“The Delhi State Election Commission was approached to ascertain whether presentation of budget estimates by the Municipal Commissioner would tantamount to violation of the code of conduct for Delhi Assembly elections or not,” he added.

“Since it is mandatory under the DMC Act to finalise the budget estimate before February 15 of every year so that new rates of taxes, fees and penalties could be enforceable from April 1, it was imperative that budget estimates be presented before the Standing Committee by December 10 so that these could be deliberated by the Zonal Ward Committees as well as Statutory Committees before finalisation by the MCD. In response to our request, the Election Commission gave the answer in the affirmative and allowed presentation of the budget,” he said

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