No New Tax, No Hike In Existing Ones: Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav Unveils IMC Budget Plans In Indore

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav here on Monday said that neither Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) will impose any new tax nor propose any hike in the existing ones in the budget for financial year-2025-26.

“No we are not going to introduce any new tax nor will make any increase in the existing civic taxes,” he said replying to a media query after chairing Mayor-in-Council meeting held on Tuesday. Several key decisions aimed at urban development and governance were taken in the meeting which was attended by municipal commissioner Shivam Verma, MiC members, additional commissioners and other officials.

A major highlight of the meeting was the passage of a resolution supporting the Central Government's 'One Country, One Election' initiative, making Indore possibly the first municipal corporation in the country to officially endorse the proposal. The mayor said that IMC is going to increase its revenue through multiple sources.

“Recovery of pending taxes will be one of them,” he added. The MiC approved the budget for more than Rs 8,000 crore for fiscal 2025-26, which will be tabled in the IMC’s council meeting and nod was given to the development projects worth over Rs 100 crore paving the way for various infrastructure enhancements across the city.

Water ATMs at 25 locations

The MiC also approved installation of “water ATMs” at 25 locations and new swings and gym equipment in city parks. “The purified water will be available at a very nominal price at ‘water ATMs’ to be installed at 25 locations across the city,” the Mayor said.  Indore is going to be the first city in the State where ‘water ATMs’ will be installed.

Other major decisions

New IMC headquarters & Workshop: A consultant was approved to prepare the DPR for constructing new municipal headquarters and a workshop.

Property tax GIS Survey: A decision was taken to conduct a GIS survey to streamline property tax collection. Water sports at Bilawali: Paddle boating, water sports and other recreational activities were approved on a PPP mode at Bilawali pond.

Swachh Indore: The purchase of 100 close electric garbage tippers and 11 backhoe loaders was sanctioned to improve garbage collection and cleanliness.

Sewerage treatment plant:  A few new sewerage treatment plants were also approved and nod was given to laying water line till Reoti Range where more than 12 lakh saplings were planted last year.