Kochi Corporation budget to offer realistic proposals

KOCHI: Deputy mayor T.J Vinod will present the first budget of the new UDF council by the end of this month.

Rather than announcing mega glamour projects, the new civic administration will focus on the implementation of projects and taking up feasible and realistic schemes.

“Preparation of the 2016 – 2017 Budget is on, and we are planning to present it by February end,” Mr Vinod said.

Top sources at the corporation told DC that the deputy mayor would “rewrite the practice of over promising and under delivering” followed by previous councils.

The emphasis will be on completing the 33 projects included in the Mission Kochi programme started in August 2014, and also other proposals put on the backburner for the last couple of years.

Many of the projects announced over the years like new solid waste treatment plant at Brahmapuram, e-governance, Thammanam – Pullepady Road development, Atlantis rail over bridge, Vathuruthy RoB, modern slaughterhouse at Mattancherry, surface water drainage projects, septage plant at Willingdon Island, regularisation of auto-rickshaw service in city, Broadway and Ernakulam market renovation, modernisation of street furniture and development and maintenance of roads as per Road Conclave recommendations are yet to be realised.

“Instead of announcing new projects, the Budget will have feasible proposals to complete the earlier announced projects for which additional funds will be allocated,” sources said.

However, identifying new revenue sources and increasing tax revenue collection will be the major challenges for the cash-strapped civic body.

“If effective measures are not announced in the budget to plug revenue loss and to use corporation assets for revenue enhancement, the local body will have to face an unprecedented financial crisis,” said Opposition councillor C.J.
Peter who has raised the issue of non-payment of property tax by big corporate houses, hospitals and commercial establishments.