Ahmedabad: The ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) at Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) budget turned down the property tax hike proposed by municipal commissioner on Thursday.
However, for those who paying taxes regularly, AMC offered a 10 per cent rebate on tax bill. Standing committee, chairperson, Asit Vora said, “It is to encourage regular tax payers in city for the timely payment of their dues. Earlier, AMC authorities have been extending rebate scheme to tax defaulters only.” In a move to bring in transparency, AMC authorities are planning to computerise and place online all the tender details right from issuing, to final allotments and also payment details for cross checking its veracity to avoid controversy. Vora said, “In a pilot project we started this system in west zone of AMC and will now further
implemented it in other zones.” This year’s budget held importance as municipal election are due now. It saw a substantial jump of Rs 410 crore in budget allocation from earlier proposed budget of Rs 3,301, taking the final figure to Rs 3,711 crore. The AMC authorities are also working around its finances in the absence of octroi income — which accounted for nearly 70 per cent of AMC’s income. The civic body is planning to garner revenues to the tune of Rs 100 crore by selling extra Floor Space Index (FSI) and premium plots in the city limits. However, this time the budget is propelled by the golden jubilee celebration of state government and thrust on improving basic infrastructure facilities in municipal limits. One of the high points of the budget is starting of new centre of stem cell therapy and embalming certificate, essential for outstation dead bodies at VS Hospital. Leader of opposition, AMC, Surendra Baxi, said, “The budget is populist by nature and there is hardly any new projects for citizens. Most of the ongoing projects of last financial year are included in it.”
On absence on any mega projects, a senior AMC official said, “The focus is on completion of existing capital projects in the city, and improving the civic amenities.”
HIGHLIGHTS
The Sunday market, better known as Gurjari market held regularly at Sabarmati river bank to be relocated after Sabarmati river front project to the east side of river between Sardar bridge and Vivekanand bridge
Door to Dumping facility to be extended to five more wards in different municipal zones
New arm for the Shahibaugh underpass proposed to de-congest the heavy traffic rush at a cost of Rs 3 crore
A feasibility study to be conducted for a new flyover from Nehru Bridge to Nagri Hospital via Gandhigram railway station
All civic centres of AMC to be open for public from 9 am to 8 pm
Rs 50 lakh allotted for celebration of 600-year celebrations of the city
Major renovation of Sheth Mangaldas Town Hall at Ellisbridge at the cost of Rs 1.25 crore
A 40 per cent rebate in property tax for trusts running hospitals in AMC buildings and plots
Proposed MOU with owners of non-residential properties and civic body for 99-year lease after paying a premium amount to the civic body
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