City Kemp News
Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike Tax and Finance Committee chairman announced the BBMP Budget for 2017-2018,
A major part of this year’s budget has been allocated to Solid Waste Management – an amount of Rs 751.7 crore. 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.
BBMP Budget Highlights
n A major amendment to the city’s building bye-laws has been unveiled. To tackle violations, building plan approvals are to be linked to the issuance of occupancy certificates. Owners of all G+4 buildings (ground floor + four floors) will be required to register the ground floor in the BBMP’s name. The ownership of the ground floor will be returned and an occupancy certificate issued only if the building is constructed as per the approved plans. In case of violations, the civic body is to take over the the building. The amendment will, however, need the State government’s approval.
n Unauthorized road cutting: Penalty of Rs 10 lakh on residents, Rs 25 lakh on commercial establishments.
n Super Specialty Hospitals at Shivajinagar, Sarvagna Nagar and BTM Layout. Multi-specialty Hospital at Jayanagar.
n Affordable generic medicines in BBMP health centres.
n A total of Rs 184 crore has been earmarked for horticulture and urban forestry. Rainwater harvesting programmes under PPP model, development of 210 parks in the outer zones, planting of 10 lakh saplings, unique numbers for trees and introduction of tree wardens are mentioned.
n Lake development has an outlay of Rs 89 crore.
n Creation of a cell to facilitate corporate houses to spend CSR funds through BBMP.
n e-Khata system to help citizens submit documents and get khatas online.
n Unique digital identification numbers for all properties under the municipal limits.
n A comprehensive advertisement policy to control unauthorized hoardings.
n Hi-tech parking facilities will be taken up under public-private partnership. Private owners willing to construct them will be considered for tax rebates.
n Internship for law students in the BBMP Legal Cell.
n Rs 100 crore Namma Swantha Mane scheme to construct individual houses for SCs and STs.
n Rs 20 lakh special women welfare grant for wards represented by women.
n Outlay of Rs 751 crore for garbage management.
n Outlay of Rs 168 crore to improve and maintain burial grounds and electric crematoriums.
n Drain-related maintenance in 509 flood-prone areas.
n Last year, the BBMP’s budgeted outlay was Rs 8,994 crore. This has been revised to Rs 6,819 crore, a 31% decrease.
