AMC draft plan has no new plans
The AMC draft budget for the financial year 2003-2004 misses the development issue and only concentrates on strengthening basic services.

The Rs 962.69 crores draft budget announced on Monday does not include any proposals for new developmental projects in the forthcoming year.

Municipal commissioner P. Paneervel said the budget aims to strengthen basic services and improve the standard of services. This year AMC has decided to concentrate on e-governance and decentralisation of power to zones, he said.

The budget proposes no new taxes but recommends levying charges for AMTS and health services for which it has to spend Rs 120 crores in financial year 2002-2003.

Octroi consists of 62.40 per cent of the proposed revenue income of the corporation. Mr Paneervel informed that they plan to computerise each octroi check post. "Around, 300 standard items will be entered in computers and weigh bridges will also be installed at every check post. Human interference will be reduced which will generate more income," he added.

The other areas from were revenue income is expected includes property and other taxes which will be 16.09 per cent of the total income; grants and contributions which will be 13.86 per cent of the total income and other incomes like non-tax revenue and charges that will contribute 1.43 per cent to the total income.

On the expenditure side, establishment expenditure will be 33.61 per cent of the total budget, grant and contribution to others will be 18.19 per cent, power and fuel cost will be 9.90 per cent, financial expenses will be 9.40 per cent, 5.91 per cent for repair and maintainenance, 2.27 per cent will be for service and programme expenses and administration and general expenses will be 2.20 per cent. The money transferred for development work from the revenue income will be 18.51 per cent.

The proposed expenditure on the current developmental projects in the budget is Rs 290 crore. AMC plans to continue with its fly-over project, Sabarmati river cleaning project, e-governance and canals and pipelines for bringing Narmada and Mahi river by Raska project.

AMC also proposes to build more gardens in the city and plant trees at each and every entry point of the city.

Republished from The Asian Age