SMC standing committee nod for budget worth Rs 8,873 crore

The draft budget proposes no major rise in the property taxes and user charges. At the same time, it has proposed capital expenditure to the tune of Rs 4,421 crore for development projects — in a first, according to Agrawal.

“The projected capital expenditure budget of Rs 4,421 crore in the draft budget has been increased to Rs 4,527 crore and revenue expenditure has been hiked by Rs 49 crore from Rs 4,597 crore to Rs 4,646 crore,” Patel said.

“We have added a provision to recover the pending residential property taxes of 2022-23 and 100 per cent relaxation on interest will be given to the property holders who pay the taxes till March 31, 2024. There are over 2.98 lakh residential property taxes whose taxes of 2022-23  are due. Similarly, 50 per cent relaxation on interest will be given to non-residential properties to pay the pending tax till March 31, 2024. There are over 72,948 such properties in the city. Those zones who do excellent work in recovery of pending taxes will be awarded,” Patel added.

The budget also pegs the revenue income at Rs 5,000 crore as against last year’s achieved target of Rs 4,000 crore.

The draft budget proposes to set up a biogas plant at a new upcoming solid waste management plant at Umbher village in the outskirts of Surat city. Besides, the side streams produced from the solid waste will be sold to textile and other industries, generating revenue for the civic body.

The budget also proposes embankment walls on both sides of Tapi river and provisions for water transport activity in the river.

“SMC gives a pair of school uniforms, shoes and socks to students of the Surat Municipal Education Board schools. This year onwards, we have decided to give two pairs of school uniforms with one pair of sport uniforms and sports shoes and socks, notebooks, stationary,  and a water bag to the students. Over 1.58 lakh students studying in 335 municipal schools will benefit,” Patel said.