If cleared by the Standing Committee, the residents will have to pay water tax double of the current slab along with a hike in three taxes — fire, conservancy and drainage. A new tax in form of street light tax has also been introduced this year. The RMC plans to spend over Rs 3,250 per citizen in the year against the income of Rs 1,400 to 1,500 per citizen.

According to Kanwar, the new taxes have been proposed to give an inclusive, balanced, technology-oriented and capital budget in the wake of the abolishment of octroi system, which had been the civic body’s main source of income.

With the increase in water tax, the corporation will get an extra Rs 11 crore. The administrative head has proposed to increase the tax to Rs 100 per month from the existing Rs 50 for domestic connection. For commercial connection, the proposed tax rate is Rs 200 per month, the exact double of the existing rate.

An increase in fire tax in all the categories has also been recommended. For low-rise, high-rise and commercial units, the current fire tax slab is 1.5 per cent of property tax. This has been proposed to be increased to 2.5 per cent. Similarly, for industrial units, it has been proposed to be increased to 3.5 per cent from 2.5 per cent. The conservancy tax, which is currently 5 per cent for domestic units, 10 per cent for commercial units and 12 per cent for industrial units, may see a hike to 7 per cent, 12 per cent and 15 per cent respectively.

Drainage tax, which is currently 2 per cent of the property tax or Rs 100, whichever is more — has been proposed to be increased to 4 per cent or Rs 150. Construction of two flyovers — one at Ring Road and another at the junction of Mavdi and Gondal Road — has also been proposed. Each project has been estimated to cost over Rs 25 crore.

Besides, three pedestrian foot over-bridges and underpasses at Bhagwatipara, Raiya Road, Airport Road and Jamnagar Road have been proposed.

A Rs 30-crore fund allocation has also been proposed for various roads and traffic projects, including bus rapid transit system, parking complex development, road construction and repairing, converting three main roads into model roads, expansion of the city bus service and a pilot project of cycle track.

An equal amount has been allocated for various projects like covering parts of old city and new city into the draining system and building a new sewage recycling plant.

The draft budget has allocated Rs 32 crore for water works, Rs 8 crore for solid waster management, Rs 7 crore for fire brigade, Rs 5.6 crore for urban poor housing projects and Rs 10 crore for health services.

Courtesy By : Express India