GMC presents ₹205-crore surplus budget

Expecting substantial grants under various big ticket projects, the Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) has pegged the revenue estimates at ₹1,004.32 cror as the civic body presented a surplus budget of ₹205.02 crore. The revenue expenditure was pegged at ₹799 crore including revenue and capital expenditure.

Giving the details of the budget passed by the special officer on Thursday, Municipal Commissioner Shrikesh B. Lashkar said that major projects like comprehensive drinking water scheme, widening of major roads, beautification of roads and parks were set to be completed this year.

For the first time, the GMC allocated a substantial sum towards protection of vacant lands.

The UGD scheme taken up by the Public Health Department is another major project taken up with the Central grants. The GMC would recarpet roads extending to a length of 400 km. The three phases of Inner Ring Roads were being given importance after being identified as growth corridors.

Ambitious plan

The new Commissioner also unveiled an ambitious plan to shore up property tax by adapting GIS enabled mapping system to verify the tax assessments. As against the property tax demand of ₹79 crore, the GMC was able to achieve 85% of target.

The GMC also allocated ₹16 crore for modernising Peekala Vagu under the 14th Finance Commission grants, he said. The Gandhi Park and the Manasarovar Park were being modernised by private firms and would soon emerge as a major attractions in the city, he added.