Tax collection has gone up this year compared to last year and the thrust is on improving revenue all through rather than conducting drives so as to meet expenses and improve amenities, Municipal Commissioner M. Hari Narayanan said here on Wednesday.
The property tax collection realised so far was ₹ 121.7 crore compared to ₹ 90.64 crore in the corresponding period last year and arrears collection improved to 39 % compared to 33 % last year. Current year’s collection was 58 % while last year it was 33 %.
Realisation from bulk water supply, rose to ₹ 131 crore compared to ₹ 121 crore last year.
The Commissioner said even the issues caught up in litigation, including that of RINL, were being pursued by the officials concerned.
Denying that any funds from GVMC general funds were being diverted to the Smart City Projects, Mr. Hari Narayanan said the State and Central governments were funding ₹ 500 crore each and the remaining would be met by taking up projects under PPP mode.
Fever cases
Though there was a spurt in the incidence of fever in September owing to the tropical weather conditions before the withdrawal of the monsoon, the overall number of cases was less this season owing to the focussed approach in anti-larvae operations with 441 workers and more than 100 teams working. The number of dengue cases came down to 218 against 846 in the previous year and malaria to 699 from 1592.
Delimitation
On delimitation of wards, he said after the issue of GO deciding the wards at 81, an order was issued by the Director of Municipal Administration to take up division. However, a clarification was sought on the issues of (lack of) geographical contiguity. He said action would be taken against anyone City Planning officials indulging in irregularities if complaints were received. It is likely that after issue of the GO on delimitation elections will be held to GVMC
Besides the “Swachhta hi Seva” campaign that started from September 15, Ministry of Housing Urban Affairs would start another programme from October 2 to pick up the best city etc. State Government would also announce awards on October 2.
GVMC awards
GVMC will announce awards to colonies, parks, schools etc.
On GST coming in the way of paying bills to contractors, he said on an order from the government 80 % of the bill was being paid and the remaining withheld pending resolving of some issues.