About 2 lakh property tax payers in the city are likely to face the heat as the MCC, in its budget for the year 2013-14 presented yesterday by B.L. Bhyrappa, Chairman, MCC Standing Committee on Taxation, Finance and Appeals, expects to net Rs. 93.2 crore as property tax in 2013-14 as against Rs. 77.54 crore anticipated in the previous year (an increase of Rs. 15.66 crore compared to last year).

While presenting the budget, the MCC, banking on the provisions in Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act 1976, perhaps aware of the possible opposition with elections round the corner, did not specify that it was revising the tax but sought to package it in a way that its move did not grab public attention.

The MCC budget for 2013-14 expects a revenue of Rs. 481.50 crore as against an expenditure of Rs. 475.65 crore, leaving it with a surplus of Rs. 5.84 crore. Cess and tax from water supply is expected to yield Rs. 32. 3 crore. Besides, Rs. 10.86 crore is expected from building licence fee, development fee, building completion report fee, drainage cess and so on, while the MCC also expects grant of Rs. 16.77 crore from the 13th Finance Commission.

The MCC had anticipated Rs. 26.65 crore from the State Finance Commission for 2012-13 against which it received Rs. 13.32 crore till Dec. end. The grant from the Commission for the new financial year, including funds to repay the Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan, is expected to be around Rs. 43.15 crore.

Infrastructure cess is expected to generate Rs. 50 lakh for the next financial year, while advertising fee is likely to fetch Rs. 1.02 crore. Revenue by way of rentals of the MCC’s to yield Rs. 9.7 crore, while trade licence fee will generate Rs. 5 crore.

A sum of Rs. 5 crore is also expected from the MP and MLA local area development funds.

A sizeable amount of Rs. 64.05 crore has been brought forward from last year’s budget while another grant of Rs. 50 crore is expected from the State Finance Commission towards payment of staff salaries, which works out to Rs. 65.54 crore. The balance of Rs. 15.54 crore will be met by MCC’s internal sources.

The solid waste management plant at Vidyaranyapuram will be shifted. A new swimming pool will be built in the heart of the city at a cost of Rs. 4 crore, while Rs. 7 crore has been earmarked for development of parks and lawns. The budget has earmarked Rs. 1 crore towards the development of Dalvoy Lake on the lines of Kukkarahalli Lake, while Rs. 50 lakh has been kept aside for improvement of the dhobi ghat in Saraswathipuram.

Despite the MCC tabling a budget in excess of Rs. 480 crore, its resource base is limited and the bulk of the revenue or income shown in the budget is either grants or money projected to be released during 2013-14 for development works.

Meanwhile, the budget does not hint at any major infrastructure development works, the bulk of which is being implemented under JNNURM.

Solar plants to be set up

As Mysore is being developed into a Model Solar City for which the Centre has approved five projects worth Rs. 5.72 crore, the MCC intends to establish two solar plants at Cheluvamba and Kuppanna Parks in city.

The power generated will be used to illuminate streetlights near Hardinge Circle and the main road in Yadavgiri.

Plastic to diesel

A sum of Rs. 25 lakh has been earmarked for converting plastic waste into diesel, provided the MCC receives matching grants from different sources. The diesel will be used to fuel the MCC vehicles.

5 playgrounds

The MCC has also decided to improve and develop playgrounds for sports other than cricket. A sum of Rs. 2 crore has been earmarked for the same. Five playgrounds will be developed during 2013-14.

Honorarium for sportspersons

The honorarium given to sportspersons taking part in national and international events has been incresed from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 15,000 (for national events) and from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 25,000 (for international events).

Courtesy : Star Of Mysore