Flood mitigation, priority to education

The Greater Chennai Corporation Council on Saturday passed the budget for 2022-23, with most of the funds allocated for flood mitigation, school education and traffic improvement. About 50% of the allocation of capital expenditure has been set aside for flood mitigation work in different parts of the city.

Sarabjay Das, chairman of the Taxation and Finance Committee, presented the budget for the year 2022-23 with a capital expenditure of ₹2,410.24 crore and a revenue expenditure of ₹3,613.35 crore. The revenue receipt is estimated at ₹2,824.77 crore.

Professional tax collection is estimated to be ₹475 crore in 2022-23. The State Finance Commission’s grant is expected to be ₹500 crore. The deficit is estimated to be Rs 363 crore during 2022-23.

Even after the increase in property tax by the government, the corporation expects to recover only ₹800 crore from over 12 lakh properties. Some councillors, including those from the ruling coalition, demanded withdrawal of the increase in property tax.

However, after the budget was passed, the council passed another resolution inviting objections and suggestions from members of the public on the proposed increase in property tax. The proposal will result in a 50% increase in property tax for a 600 sq ft house in old city areas, while the increase will be 25% in the case of properties in additional areas. The property tax hike for residential properties with an area of ​​more than 1,801 sq ft will be 150% in old city areas and 100% in additional areas.

to borrow

Due to shortfall in the corporation’s own tax revenue, the civic body’s borrowings increased to ₹2,500 crore. The World Bank, Asian Development Bank and KfW have given loans to the civic body for infrastructure projects like storm water drainage.

Public sector banks like State Bank of India have provided funds for some projects. Interest payments are estimated at ₹148 crore in 2022-23, showing a growth of over 1,000% over the last seven years.

The total loan taken from agencies such as the World Bank and KfW was estimated at Rs 550 crore in 2022-23. Establishment expenditure is estimated at ₹1,836 crore in 2022-23 as against ₹1,587 crore in the previous year.

Meanwhile, Mayor R. Priya made 64 announcements related to civic infrastructure projects and welfare measures.

Pointing out the need for flood damage and flood mitigation projects in the city, the mayor said that the state government has given its approval for obtaining funds from the Asian Development Bank for the construction of storm water drains at Tiruvottiyur, Manali, Madhavaram, Thiru. has given. V.I. Of. Nagar and parts of Ambattur at a cost of 600 crores. The civic body, with funding from the German Development Bank, KfW, will implement the project for the construction of storm water drains in the southern parts of the city at a cost of Rs 300 crore. Funds under Singara Chennai 2.0 will be used for construction of storm water drainage at an estimated cost of Rs 70 crore. Similar work will be done in the flood-affected areas of the city at a cost of Rs 120 crore from World Bank funds. I

The corporation will start training for gender equality through cricket and dance for 1.31 lakh students in 281 schools in the city.

safety of women

70 schools will get internet connection and various smart classes facility. Surveillance cameras will be installed under the Nirbhaya Fund at a cost of Rs 5.47 crore for the safety of school children. The civic body has allocated Rs 6.91 crore for imparting martial arts training to girl students.

Many of the 64 announcements were based on earlier initiatives of the previous DMK regime in 2006-11.

Bridges will be built near the bus stand on Osman Road. Another bridge will be constructed at Valluvar Kottam Junction to ease the traffic congestion.

The original proposal was to build an elevated corridor connecting Thirumalai Pillai Road near Valluvar Kottam and Poonamalle High Road Junction near Eega Theatre.