MCC okays 2.7 lakh surplus budget

MCC okays 2.7 lakh surplus budget

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, 05 April 2011: Various issues such as the recent property tax hike, the possibility of rechristening a street in Mangalore in honor of Dhoni, and the MCC’s budget for the fiscal year 2011 – 12, among others were discussed at the MCC’s general body meeting convened on April 5, Tuesday

 

Dhoni
The Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) appears to be severely affected by the World Cup fever; the civic body is toying with the ideal of renaming one of the streets in the city as M. S. Dhoni Road.

Mayor Praveen said that he will consider the possibility of rechristening one of the cities in the street after the captain of the Indian team although the Ranchi-based Dhoni has nothing to do with Mangalore. Reportedly, the request was put across by Corporator Ashok D. K.

Property tax
However, renaming a street after Dhoni was not the only issue discussed at this meeting, which turned out to be quite stormy owing to the opposition’s protest against the 15 percent hike in property taxes. The opposition members of the MCC wore black badges to express their disapproval and accused the ruling party of attempting to burden the working and middle classes. Besides, they alleged that the matter was not discussed with the opposition before being announced to the public.
Annual budget

In spite of this disturbance, Sharath, the chairman of the standing committee, presented the annual budget, during which he said that the civic body was aiming to collect revenue of Rs. 183.91 crore from water tax, construction sector, trade license, markets, penalties, and so on during the fiscal year 2011 – 12. The civic body also expects to spend Rs. 183.89 crore, presenting a surplus budget.

Mr. Sharath also informed that Nagara Mitra has been inaugurated at the entrance of the municipal office to make it easier for citizens seeking information. He also said that a new vented dam worth Rs. 7 crore will be constructed at Thumbay and that the civic body intends to spend Rs. 12.20 crore on development work and Rs. 2.75 crore on SC/ST welfare. The civic body has also earmarked Rs. 95 lakh to eradicate poverty in Mangalore.

Development Work

The civic body is also offering a rebate of 5 percent on the water bills of consumers who pay the annual bill of Rs. 780 in advance as per the minimum monthly charges of Rs. 65. This provision does not apply to water used for commercial and industrial purposes. The MCC will also install CCTV cameras to reinforce security and ensure work efficiency. Rs. 15 lakh has been earmarked for the benefit of professional bodies such as IIM and ISEC. The civic body will also establish a professional training centre for SC/ST students.

Rs. 15,000 will be given to each corporator to repair 8 houses belonging to BPL beneficiaries of the Kuteera Bhagya Scheme. Each corporator will also receive Rs. 8000 each to provide electric power to two BPL houses under the Kuteera Jyothi Scheme.
The MCC members observed silence in honor of Ramesh Kotian, the late former mayor of Mangalore, and the victims of the recent tsunami and earthquake in Japan.