AI-based parking to tax sops for schools: What’s on MCD budget for next year

The civic body reported that it has recorded revenue of Rs 2,417 crore in the fiscal year 2023-24, which represents an increase of about Rs 400 crore over the previous year and marks the highest revenue in the Corporation’s history through property tax.

This was also the first time the budget was presented in the absence of a standing committee, which is the MCD’s chief governing body. The 18-member committee has not been formed as the matter is in court after the Aam Aadmi Party called for a fresh poll to elect six members of the statutory committee.

New proposals

The new proposals presented by the Commissioner included an artificial intelligence-based system to identify and enhance civic services in Preet Vihar, East Patel Nagar and Kotla Mubarakpur wards and a waste-to-energy plant with a capacity of 3,600 TDP in Narela-Bawana.

It also included libraries in 44 MCD schools, a lactation management unit or milk booth which will be set up at Swami Dayanand Hospital, and 60 new testing labs at primary health centres.

The civic body also commissioned the construction of 20 school buildings, the installation of 25 start-interactive panels at MCD schools, the sterilisation of 1 lakh stray dogs, the introduction of 21 FASTag parking facilities, and the development of a hi-tech nursery.

The expansion of capacity at Okhla and Tehkhand waste-to-energy plants and the completion of the Delhi Darshan Park Phase II, Dinosaur Park, and Heritage Park under the Waste-to-Art theme were also part of it.

The budget further provides a tax incentive to educational institutions — through a provision in the Sahbhagita scheme which entails providing a 5% additional incentive to educational institutions with land area exceeding 10 acres. But this is subject to institutions depositing 100% of property tax.

Opposition leaders, however, questioned the passing and presentation of the budget without a standing committee.

“Due to the Aam Aadmi Party’s failure to form permanent committees, ward committees, and other crucial committees, the Commissioner had to present the budget in the municipal assembly, which is entirely unconstitutional,” Leader of Opposition in the MCD, Raja Iqbal Singh, said.

Mayor Shelly Oberoi said that the “real” budget is awaited as the AAP has announced a public opinion exercise around it. “The real budget of the people of Delhi will come in the first week of February. For this, Aam Aadmi Party councilors will continuously communicate with citizens,” Oberoi said.

To gauge public opinion and suggestions, meetings will be held with RWAs and market associations after a week, based on which the final budget will be formulated and presented within two months, said officials.