Veena S Bijapure, chairing the tax finance and appeals standing committee of the Belgaum City Corporation, presented the budget at a council meeting on Tuesday, highlighting its commitment to the overall development of Belgaum and its varied population.
The upcoming fiscal year 2024-25 is projected to have a surplus budget of Rs 7.7 lakh, as detailed in the meeting. Envisaging a revenue of Rs 436.6 crore and total expenditure fixed at Rs 436.5 crore, the corporation aims for well-balanced financial management.
The budget allocation breakdown includes Rs 1.1 crore for managing stray dogs, Rs 28 crore for outsourced cleaning services, and Rs 18 crore for salaries of directly recruited civil employees. Furthermore, Rs 4 crore is allocated for scientific solid waste disposal, Rs 2.5 crore for street light maintenance, and Rs 10.5 crore for rainwater management, roads, drainages, and footpaths. Elected representative study tours are budgeted at Rs. 30.00 lakhs.
Moreover, the budget gives priority to essential infrastructure development, allocating Rs 25 lakh for the improvement of open wells to enhance the drinking water supply throughout the city.
The Belgaum Municipal Corporation expects a revenue of Rs. 43,661.35 lakhs in the fiscal year 2024-25. The projected expenses for the same period are estimated to be Rs. 43,653.63 lakhs, leading to a surplus budget of Rs. 7.72 lakhs.
The property tax collection from corporation properties is projected to achieve ₹7,350.20 crore. Revenue from building permits is estimated at Rs. 200.00 lakhs, with anticipated income from development and improvement fees related to building permits set at Rs. 1,025.00 lakhs. There is an expected revenue reallocation of Rs. 1,700.00 lakhs from cable laying fees, along with an additional Rs. 125.00 lakhs from road digging within the corporation’s jurisdiction. Contributions for solid waste management are estimated at Rs. 800.00 lakhs, and a surcharge of Rs. 110.00 lakhs is foreseen from immovable property registrations. Transfer fees and fines for properties are expected to yield Rs. 550.00 lakhs, while basic facilities are projected to generate Rs. 50.00 lakhs. A grant of Rs. 8,113.77 lakhs is anticipated from the state government for employee salaries, with an additional Rs. 630.00 lakhs expected from SFC open fund grants. The SFC Vidyutshakti grant is estimated at Rs. 6,690.00 lakhs. Income from the sale of open plots is projected to reach Rs. 1,050.00 lakhs, resulting in the total estimated revenue of Rs. 43,661.35 lakhs.
Salaries for officers and staff are set at Rs. 2,800.00 lakhs in the budget. The allocation for outsourcing cleanliness costs is Rs. 1,800.00 lakhs to ensure the maintenance of Belgaum’s cleanliness. Scientific solid waste disposal is designated Rs. 400.00 lakhs, while street light maintenance is budgeted at Rs. 250.00 lakhs. Infrastructure projects, encompassing road, sewerage, footpath, and rainwater management, are granted Rs. 1,050.00 lakhs. The management of stray dogs is earmarked Rs. 110.00 lakhs. Sports initiatives receive an allocation of Rs. 14.98 lakhs, while elected representative study tours are budgeted at Rs. 30.00 lakhs. Cremation and crematorium development are allotted Rs. 80.00 lakhs, and drinking water supply and future development are earmarked Rs. 25.00 lakhs.
The budget includes an allocation of Rs. 160.00 lakhs for the acquisition of new computerized machinery. Various infrastructure projects, encompassing road construction, CC road construction, sewerage construction, public space preservation, and city beautification, amount to Rs. 2,005.00 lakhs. For sewerage repair and construction, along with community public toilets, there is an allotment of Rs. 650.00 lakhs. Additionally, park development is budgeted at Rs. 100.00 lakhs.
A sum of Rs. 1,500.00 lakhs is earmarked for the Amrut Yojana. Swachh Bharat Mission initiatives receive support with 41.27 percent of the DPR from the corporation. For the development of backward classes within the Municipal Corporation, there is an allocation of Rs. 108.63 lakhs. The provision of wheelchairs for differently-abled individuals is budgeted at Rs. 74.92 lakhs. The budget plan endorses various central and state government schemes, including Rainwater Harvesting, Natural Disasters, Drinking Water Supply, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Yojana, SFC Special Grant, and Griha Bhagya Yojana.
