BBMP Budget for 2017-18: no new taxes announced

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike Tax and Finance Committe chairman announced the BBMP Budget for 2017-2018, with an outlay of Rs. 9241.04 crore, at the Council Hall on Saturday. No new taxes were announced for the year.

Restructuring existing outstanding loan of Rs. 1434 cr to lower interest rate will save Rs. 112 crore, said Mr. Gunashekar while presenting the budget. Ten percent of this year’s budget has been earmarked for Solid Waste Management - an amount of Rs 898.94 crore, up from Rs 633.1 crore in the previous year.

Save trees and parks, seems the motto

The BBMP budget for 2017-18 has placed a strong push the preservation of parks and trees, with Horticulture, Lakes and Forests together getting an 812 % increase in allocation over the previous budget.

While the previous budget allocated 153.15 crore to these departments, as much as 15 % of the current budget, ie 1397.59 crore, will be set aside this year. Citizens can now become vigilants for trees. Tree wardens have been proposed in the budget which will comprise of volunteers to protect and look after roadside trees.

Highlights of the Budget:

Creation of Pouravahini team announced, which will monitor implementation of decisions taken by BBMP Council

Pilot of Total Station Survey showed some malls, tech parks and industrial units have under declared property, hence TSS of all such properties will be conducted

All properties located in BBMP limits shall be alloted a unique Digital Identification Number

Road cutting will attract a penalty of Rs. 10 lakh for residential purpose and Rs. 25 lakh for commercial purpose

Push for Horticulture, lakes and forests in BBMP budget for 2017-18, 800 % increase in allocation over previous budget

Rs. 146 crore alloted for parks and plantation of trees