NDMC budget: No increase in property tax of VVIP areas

NEW DELHI: The New Delhi Municipal Council's ( NDMC) budget unveiled today spared the VVIP areas of an increase in property tax, besides having no new major development initiatives.

The Rs 2,289.64 crore budget for the NDMC, which covers the Lutyens' Delhi, proposes revamped power and water supply system, upgradation of markets, sprinkler irrigation system in Shanti Path, 35 new public toilets, CCTV survey of drainage for retrofitting and a flower show.

In her speech, NDMC chairperson Archna Arora said the budget for 2012-13 is aimed at asset creation which will be beneficial to NDMC both in terms of civic infrastructure and increasing receipts in the long term.

"The pace of infrastructure development was very high and creation of capital assets was large in numbers during the last three years. Now is the time to maintain these assets with increased levels of quality bench marks using latest technology as per international standards," she said.

Outlining its revenue proposals, Arora said, the budget "propose no increase in property tax rates in the next year" and the civic body plans to collect Rs 259.98 crore as property tax in the next fiscal.

The civic body also plans to collect Rs 268.89 crore as licence fee, Rs 702.53 crore from power supply and Rs 113.60 crore from water supply.

Later, Arora told reporters that a detailed roadmap for revamp of electrical system has been prepared and that the NDMC has no plans to recommend hike in water or power tariffs.

The NDMC is also working towards ensuring uninterrupted water supply in the next 5-8 years, she said.