Belagavi district’s gram panchayats have achieved a notable financial milestone, collecting ₹110 crore in property tax for the year 2024–25, as per Zilla Panchayat CEO Rahul Shinde. Addressing the media at Varta Bhavan during an interaction organised by the Belagavi Journalists’ Association, he stated that the collection includes arrears from entities such as the Belagavi Sambra Airport Authority, which cleared ₹1 crore, along with annual dues from sugar mills.
Efforts to cut costs, such as eliminating illegal and defunct borewells and switching to LED streetlights, helped the district save ₹13 crore. Under the MGNREGS, employment was extended to 1.1 crore individuals, with women making up 57% of the workforce. Equal wages for men and women are now standard practice. Key infrastructure works like school boundaries and drainage systems, were completed, with direct benefit transfers replacing the older cheque system. An ombudsman has also been appointed to ensure transparency.
Under the Swachh Bharat Mission, rural sanitation has been strengthened with the construction of new toilets and STPs in Chikodi and Athani. Awareness campaigns are ongoing, as some villagers remain hesitant to use the toilets.
A total of 257 villages, including over 150 in Chikodi, face severe drinking water issues. Though most of the district has remained free of tanker dependence, contingency measures have been put in place. Thirteen multi-village drinking water schemes are currently being implemented. Meanwhile, about 20% of all properties have been digitised as part of the ongoing E-Property campaign.
