Chhattisgarh: Bilaspur mayor tables budget of Rs 1024.72 crore

RAIPUR: Bilaspur mayor Ramsharan Yadav tabled a budget of Rs 1024.72 crore . The budget was tabled amidst the ongoing uproar created by BJP corporators accusing Congress of presenting a “paper budget’ like previous year. However, the Mayor described the budget as a balanced budget aiming city’s overall development.

The budget pushed for conservation of Arpa river- the lifeline of Bilaspur, construction of two barrages, cleaning of ponds using advanced machines costing two crore and new auditorium construction.

The BJP corporators reached the general meeting with contaminated water. It alleged that ruling Congress failed to provide potable water to the citizens of 70 wards of the corporation.

BJP also raised the issue of choked drainages during rainy season. The issue went unheard by Congress which kept sloganeering in favour of chief minister Bhupesh Baghel.

During the question hour, both Congress and BJP corporators raised concerns of their respective wards. The chairman had to adjourn the proceedings for 15 minutes amidst the chaos created by both the parties.

The opening balance of the budget was Rs 2,73,16,34000. It shows an estimated income of Rs 7,51,55,8000, revenue collection is expected to be around Rs 2,31,74, 88000, and capital amount of Rs 5,19, 80,92000.

The Mayor announced that a provision has been made for Rs 100 lakh for Gyan Sthali Yojna, Rs 50 lakh for Pushpavatika Yojna, Rs 200 lakh for pond beautification under Sarovar-Dharohar Yojna under the state-promoted scheme.

Similarly, a provision of Rs 13005.06 lakh has been made for development work of wards, CC road, drain, asphalting, beautification of square-intersections, proper lighting in wards, drinking water and infrastructure development.

Leader of opposition Ashok Vidhani brought a proposal to give relaxation in the time period for paying property tax. The last date for paying property tax for the financial year 2022-23 is March 31. The opposition’s proposal was unanimously passed.

BJP corporator Vijay Yadav told TOI that the budget has so far been on the paper. He said that a five billion rupee budget was passed in 2022-23, but no work has been done using this fund.

The works which were approved during the BJP rule and funds sanctioned by the BJP government are being implemented now. Similarly, the central government fund is being used in the smart city project, he said.

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