BMP forced to go slow due to lower returns

BMP forced to go slow due to lower returns
Deccan Herald

The Bangalore Mahanagara Palike has sought to go slow on a host of developmental works mentioned in its budget for the year citing lower revenue collections as the reason. Noted among the works that will be affected are those billed under the controversial special development works and the MLAs grant.

The circular to the effect issued by BMP’s Additional Commissioner for Finance on August 30 has however not gone down well with the BMP’s elected representatives. Mayor R Narayanamurthy has assured to call a meeting in this regard as soon as Commissioner Jothiramalingam returns from abroad next week. Raising the matter in the BMP Council meeting on Friday BJP leader B M Mangala noted that all the ward level works have been affected by the order. Members from the ruling Congress including its leader B T Srinivasamurthy expressed concern.

The circular’s point that repair of rain or flood wrought damages will be taken up as continuing works and no fresh proposals shall be submitted for the same found particular mention. Noting that a budgetary provision had been made for such repairs, Mr G Krishnappa (Congress) questioned what happens to the sum released for it before the circular was issued.

Among others the circular also refers to the Rs 45 crore budgetary allocation for each ward for the development of footpaths.

According to the circular, only 38 per cent (Rs 122 crore) of the property tax returns has come in till date, its estimate for the year being Rs 320 crore. The returns from cess on infrastructure or solid management too is not encouraging, notes the circular.

Chinese reference

Chinese words and phrases were in order for a while in the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike council on Friday as the team of corporators that is just back from a 15-day study tour of China sought to brief their colleagues on their experiences and observations.