Nagercoil Municipal Chairman M. Meena Dev presented a Rs. 488-crore budget for the financial year 2015-16. The revenue estimate was Rs. 460.39 crore and the expenses were estimated to be Rs. 488 crore.
It was proposed to increase the revenue from property tax to Rs. 68 crore from Rs. 64.10 crore and other taxes to Rs. 20 crore from Rs. 19.73 crore.
More than 25 per cent of the revenue has been allocated towards salaries and allowances for the employees.
The total allocation towards salaries of employees has jumped to Rs. 131.99 crore from Rs. 127.05 crore, however, the administrative expenses has been reduced to Rs. 125.93 crore from Rs. 131.95 crore. The budget estimate was put at Rs. 27.62 crore.
Similarly, the estimated budget for drinking water supply and drainage was presented to be Rs. 89.82 crore.
As soon as the council meeting commenced, the members paid a silent tribute to the Councillor, Chidambaram of Congress, who died recently.
The members cutting across party-lines expressed their anguish over the killing of 20 Tamils in Seshachalam forests two days ago. A resolution was passed condemning the killing at the meeting.
As the members expressed concern over the delayed implementation of underground drainage (UGD) work in Nagercoil town, chairman Meena Dev said that as soon as funds were received from the government, the work would be expedited.
The council members discussed the growing street dog menace and sought officials response to sterilising street dogs. Only 150 dogs were sterilised so far across 52 wards, an official said.
