City’s development works to take a hit

Written by Writer on Tuesday, October 21st, 2008

City’s development works to take a hit

21 Oct 2008, TNN

PUNE: Development works in the city will be adversely affected as the civic body will not be able to meet budgetary revenue targets, courtesy the global financial crisis.

Proposing to cut the budgetary allocation for development projects by 17 per cent (approx Rs 127 crore), municipal commissioner Pravinsinh Pardeshi on Monday tabled the factfile before the PMC general body.

Even as the elected representatives opposed the proposal, he remained firm. “In view of the recession, the PMC will not be able to meet some of its revenue targets. There is a decline in trade and business, especially in items like steel and cement. The octroi collection target for this financial year was Rs 820 crore, but we will be able to collect only Rs 725 crore,” he said.

Pardeshi said property tax collection will reach up to only Rs 147 crore against the target of Rs 380 crore.

“Even the development charge target will not be met considering the current recession,” he said, adding that the administration has ensured that the administration expenses would be kept under control. He also informed that appointments of engineers and conservancy staff are being made on contract basis to curtail expenses.

Pardeshi, however, assured the house that top priority would be given to completion of development works that have already started.

“There is a need to complete the ongoing works, and planned works should be put on hold for some time. At any cost, we will complete the ongoing works, and for that we suggest cuts in the budget for some proposed works.”

Mayor Rajlaxmi Bhosale said that all party leaders will hold a meeting to discuss the matter and only then a final decision on the proposal to cut budget for capital works will be taken.