BBMP to present budget on August 18

BANGALORE: Delaying the release of the budget even further, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has now decided to table the budget on August 18. Reportedly, the Palike is now waiting to meet the new chief minister to discuss the details of the budget."The budget may be delayed, but we will ensure that it is a realistic budget,” said S Harish, Deputy Mayor, BBMP. The Palike is expected to meet Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda on Wednesday, after he returns from Delhi.The Opposition has severely criticised the Palike for not presenting the budget in time as per the guidelines set in the Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act, 1976. However, the deputy mayor claims that the budget will be presented on August 18. He also added that the budget will be ‘progressive’.When asked about the components of the budget, he said that emphasis will be given to sports, education and health. Following the reports of lack of facilities in BBMP schools, focus on education is a welcome move. Allegedly, this year, funds will be allocated exclusively for the maintenance of roads. This, according to the deputy mayor, is being done for the first time.Sources in the Corporation say that the objective of this budget is to make property tax collection fool proof. Back in April, the Standing Committee on Finance had identified revenue from advertisements, optical fibre cables and road cutting charges as prospective revenue options. After the consistent delay in the release of the budget for this year, the onus is on the Ruling Party to make the budget worth the wait.