GHMC prepares Rs 38 bn budget for 2013-14

The general body of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation cleared the Rs 3,800 crore annual budget for 2013-14 and now the document awaits the approval of the state government. The budget allots Rs 2,271 crore for capital expenditure including Rs 471.85 crore towards land and land improvement, Rs 187 core for buildings, bridges, flyovers, subways, roads and pavements, Rs 431.20 crore for storm water drains. This also includes Rs 180 crore for water supply, Rs 50 crore for sewerage, Rs 44 crore for streetlighting and Rs 664.65 crore for housing. Under Greater Hyderabad Development Plan, the civic body would spend Rs 246.42 crore for construction of flyovers, widening of roads and development of junctions. GHMC has allocated Rs 190 crore for MMTS Phase-II, Rs 60.85 crore for Green Hyderabad. For roads Rs 664.95 crore has been earmarked. For poverty alleviation programmes Rs 985 crore has been earmarked. This includes Rs 195 crore for housing Basic Service For Urban Poor (BSUP), Rs 100 crore for housing under RAY and Rs 690 crore from general funds. Though taxes have not been raised, the property tax collection is expected to go up to Rs 950 crore next year by bringing all un-assessed properties into the tax net, unearthing under-assessment and change of use by property owners and recovery of dues from defaulters, reports indicate.