Madikeri CMC presented Rs 4.78 crore surplus budget for the year 2015-16 here on Monday. The CMC was expecting income of Rs 71.15 crore and the expenditure of Rs 66.36 crore. The budget was presented in a meeting by CMC President Julekabi.

The budget has given priority for laying of roads rather than mitigating the drinking water woes. The budget has given priority to construction of roads, drains and retaining wall.

About 23.60 crore (32 per cent) of the income of the CMC has been earmarked for the purpose. Water and related works including removing silt from Kootuhole reservoir have been given Rs 6.94 crore (less than 10 per cent).

The budget has earmarked Rs 15.70 lakh for constructing sand bunds at Kundamestri. A sum of Rs 1.94 crore has been earmarked for removing silt at Kootuhole, the main water source to the town. The budget did not mention on Betri project. Though the government has given nod for the implementation of Betri water project, the budget did not earmark funds to implement the project.

A sum of Rs 4.99 crore for private bus stand, Rs five lakh for development of parks, Rs 2.50 lakh for the construction and repair of toilets, Rs 10 lakh for the renovation of burial grounds, Rs 1.42 crore for the welfare of SC/ST and OBC have been earmarked in the budget.

The CMC is expecting income of Rs two crore from property tax, Rs 6.50 lakh from advertisements, Rs one crore as rent from commercial buildings, Rs one crore from trade licenses, Rs 8.50 lakh from parking, Rs 70 lakh from water bills, Rs two crore from Chief Minister’s Small and Medium Town Development fund and a special grant of Rs 32 crore.

The expenditure of the CMC include Rs 2.88 crore for salary, Rs 65 lakh for maintenance of streetlights, Rs 95 lakh for solid waste management, Rs 50 lakh for construction of bridge and others. When SDPI and BJP members demanded time to discuss on budget, the President said that a special meeting will be convened on March 31 to discuss the budget.

Members said that Kannandabane, Pampinakerem Roshanara, Putaninagara and Mahadevapete is facing acute shortage of water. The CMC should initiate measures to supply water through tankers. Tender should be invited to supply water to the residents.
CMC Commissioner Pushpavathi said that the issue of shortage of water has been brought to the notice of the Deputy Commissioner.

The DC is yet to give nod for inviting tender for supplying water. Member H M Nandakumar and K S Ramesh said that there is a need to impress upon the DC to give nod for inviting the tender.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DHNS – Madikeri, March 24th, 2015