Recover dues first, say MCG councillors

GURUGRAM: As MCG is reeling under financial crisis due to non-recovery of funds, the councillors have demanded reviewing of methods of revenue collection and generation. Ahead of MCG budget 2020-21, the councillors gave suggestions on transfer of tax collected, collection from purchasable floor area ratio (FAR) and levying charges for usage of water, to help financial stability of the corporation.
The corporation has over Rs 600 crore pending with departments, which include DHBVN, HSVP and HSIIDC. The councillors suggested that every tax collected through stamp duty, electricity duty, and transfer and extension fee should be properly recorded, checked, followed up and collected in a time-bound manner so that the expenditure can be met for city’s development.
Councillor Kuldeep Yadav said the issue of recovery of funds should be addressed on priority basis. “The corporation has repeatedly requested these departments to transfer the pending dues to MCG account but it is still awaited,” he said.
On the lines of licenced colonies, where developers charge water charges from residents and a share goes to HSVP, the councillors suggested that MCG can also develop a scheme whereby flat rate charges can be levied on the residents. “Builders are pocketing this amount as of now, running into crores. Not only revenue of more than Rs 100 crore can easily be generated in this manner but also wastage of water can be prevented,” said RS Rathee, councillor of ward 34.
Another major concern, pointed out by Rathee, is poor collection against purchasable FAR, where the corporation needs to work. Yadav raised the issue of advertising policy and said, “Presently there is no proper policy for advertisements in societies and builders areas, whereas private developers are making crores from it. Even a policy of 50% sharing from these areas can be implemented by which huge amounts of revenue can be generated”.