The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) budget for 2013-14 fiscal, which has been put off for many reasons and will finally be presented on Friday (July 26), will be a “realistic budget,” claimed city in-charge and Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy.
Speaking to presspersons on the sidelines of an event to launch zero garbage programme in 22 wards on Wednesday, he said that the outlay of the much-delayed budget may be around Rs. 7,500 crore this time.
The outlay of the 2010-11 budget, which was presented in September, was Rs. 8,848 crore. The next fiscal, the outlay of the budget that was presented in August was Rs. 9,380 crore. In 2012-13, the budget outlay increased further to Rs. 9,937 crore and was again presented in August that year.
“I have directed the BBMP officials and Mayor to present a realistic budget and not inflated ones on the lines of those presented in the previous financial years. I have instructed them to prioritise on improving basic infrastructure, especially roads, footpaths, drains and parks,” Mr. Reddy said.
Sources in the BBMP said that the Mayor’s grant may come down from Rs. 150 crore to Rs. 50 crore, while the Deputy Mayor’s grant may be reduced to Rs. 10 crore from Rs. 25 crore. However, there could be an increase in the funds allocated to the city in-charge Minister.
It is said that under this head, the fund allocation could be around Rs. 300 crore. It was Rs. 135 crore in the previous budgets.
Priority basis
Asked about the Mayor and Deputy Mayor's grants, Mr. Reddy also said that the quantum of funds allocated for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor grants may come down. He conceded that while he did not have the powers to direct the Mayor and Deputy Mayor on the usage of their grants, he said the first citizen and his deputy could inspect different areas and release funds on a priority basis.
