Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) Commissioner Dr. N. Ramaswami on Tuesday presented before the standing committee a budget of ₹3,151.93 crore for the financial year 2018-19.
The budget includes an opening balance of ₹589.68 crore from the revised budget estimates of ₹2,987.14 crore for the financial year 2017-18. The civic administration has estimated to raise an income of ₹3,151.93 by way of property tax, water licensing and advertising fees. Around ₹3,150.93 crore is estimated to be the expenditure, leaving a closing balance of ₹99.91 crore.
Mr. Ramaswami said the budget was practical and people-oriented and focussed on basic infrastructure and innovative development. Mr. Ramaswami said, “The most important source of income for the administration is through property tax. Using 360-degree Light Detection and Ranging Technology (LIDAR) survey, we plan to collect data of all open properties and buildings. Every resident would have to pay taxes correctly.”
The administration this year collected ₹430 crore in property tax and targets to collect ₹575 crore in 2018-19. Among the defaulters of property tax is MIDC which owes ₹888 crore, of which ₹410 crore is the basic tax. Mobile towers have defaulted on ₹161 crore. Local Body Tax of ₹985.04 crore is expected to be granted by government for 2018-19.
New projects
For developmental projects, the NMMC has asked CIDCO to earmark 596 plots, of which 84 have been transferred. “The process of transferring the remaining 512 plots is under way,” said Mr. Ramaswami. Multi-level parking will be set up to decongest the city and earn the civic body another source of income. The plots under high tension lines have been proposed to be beautified.
Around ₹130 crore has been allocated for the barrier-free walkability project, redevelopment of Vashi station complex and bus depot and installing streetlights with LED bulbs.
