With no new projects or major announcements, the 2015-16 budget of the BBMP focuses on managing its day-to-day affairs and fund on-going works. Presented on Tuesday by V. Anand, chairperson of the Standing Committee for Taxation and Finance, the budget has an outlay of Rs. 6,729.62 cr.
The anticipated revenue from all sources is Rs. 3,810.17 crore — Rs. 2,636.70 crore from property tax, Rs. 75 crore as rent from shops and commercial establishments, Rs. 300 crore as optic fibre cable charges, Rs. 30 crore as garbage cess and Rs. 237.5 crore through fines and fees. A large chunk of the expenditure (Rs. 401 crore) has been earmarked for the 24.10 per cent scheme, a welfare scheme for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. That apart, the other major expenditure includes solid waste management (Rs. 415 crore), development of newly added areas (Rs. 250 crore), storm water drains (Rs. 147.33 crore) and lake development (Rs. 130 crore).
The budget stressed on extending e-governance to all departments and ensuring that all financial transactions are made online, with special efforts being made to control administrative expenditure. BBMP staff will also be given professional training. The recruitment of 4,000 pourakarmikas will be completed this year.