MBMC chief tables `1,568cr budget

Deprived of any big ideas for the twin-city, the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) chief, Balaji Khatgaonkar on Friday presented a `1,568 crore budget tagged with a meagre surplus of `5 lakh to the standing committee chairman, Ravi Vyas for the fiscal 2019-20.

While no tax hikes have been proposed, the civic chief, it seems, have focussed on tapping new avenues of revenue generation, enhancing basic facilities and completing existing infrastructure projects in a time-bound manner. The total anticipated revenue stands at `1,568.04 crore, the expected expenditure has been pegged at `1,567.99 crore. Unlike the MBMC’s age-old tradition, this year, the civic administration has refrained itself from inflating figures. “We will discuss the draft budget on February 21-22 before tabling it for the final approval in the general body. We will ensure the civic amenities are enhanced and funds used in a transparent manner,” said Vyas.

Apart from allocating `103 crore for concrete roads, `31 crore for solid waste management (bio mining) and `120 crore for the water supply, the MBMC has chalked out an elaborate plan to launch a Mahila Bhavan — the focal point in the twincity for women where social welfare activities could be carried out inclusive of community network, promotion of art and culture, educational and health care activities, counseling, skill and entrepreneurship development under one roof.

The twin city civic body has allocated `103 crore for concrete roads, `31 crore for solid waste management (bio mining) and `120 crore for the water supply.