Thane: Municipal commissioner Dr Vipin Sharma presents Rs 3,299 cr budget for 2022-23; no increase in taxation

Calling it a realistic and frugal budget, Thane municipal commissioner Dr Vipin Sharma on Thursday presented a Rs 3,299 crore budget for 2022-23, with no hike or new taxes. While presenting his second TMC budget Sharma pointed out that there has been control over revenue expenditure, emphasis on fulfilling the obligations accepted in capital expenditure, the civic body has managed to roll out a realistic budget during the time of covid19 pandemic, he said while addressing the media.

The civic chief of Thane city listed out revenue expected from various sources during the FY 2022-23. In his budget speech Sharma said Rs 1,239.39 crore is expected through the Goods and Services Tax (GST), Rs 713.77 crore of revenue is expected from property tex collection, Rs 500.42 crore from development charges (real estate), an income of Rs.1239.39 crore is expected from current and arrears of Local body tax. Rs 200 crores through water tax and Rs 104.80 crore from fire services tax.

For FY 2022-23 civic body has earmarked Rs 715.89 crore for various initiatives under solid waste management, Rs 155 crore have been earmarked for the beautification of Thane city, Rs 324.44 crore for education schemes, Rs 322.29 crore for various projects underwater supply, Rs 317.20 crore for health services, Rs 285.87 crore for road infrastructure, Rs 235.69 crore for poor citizens, Rs 196.83 crore for public security and Rs 151.10 crore for transport, it was stated.

Sharma said a sum of Rs 230 crore was spent on Covid-19-related activities during FY 2021-22 and the civic body has made a budgetary provision of Rs 100 crore for covid19 related expenditure for FY 2022-23.

Various schemes /initiatives for pollution control

Under the National Clean Air Program (NCAP) as an initiative towards the improvement of air quality, funds of Rs. 48 crore has been sanctioned for various works including the purchase of 81 electric buses for Thane Municipal Transport Service, Construction of PNG crematorium at Wagle Estate Cemetery, Purchase of Dust Sweeping Machine and establishment of Horticulture Composting Plant for wet/organic waste management. The Thane civic body is also planning to set up a Mist spray machine for dust pollution control.

Besides this as part of its contribution towards the state environment department's Majhi Vasundhara campaign various works are being undertaken to increase the green area/cover in the city, emphasis is been laid on the conservation of water and set up electric charging stations. A fund of Rs. 10 crores is being provided for the same.

Other Budget highlights:

*Urban Dense Forestry: Rs. 5 crore provision has been proposed.

* To develop theme parks in different parts of the Thane city, a total provision of Rs. 4 crores has been proposed

* Film Institute: The Municipal Corporation intends to set up a Film Institute in Thane city and through this, it is trying to give a boost to the film industry. For this, a provision of Rs. 5 crores has been proposed

*Sidewalks for road safety: An amount of Rs.10 crore has been proposed

*Expansion and strengthening of water supply: - a total budgetary provision of Rs. 50 crore has been proposed for various works with an additional provision of Rs. 10 crores.

*Traffic Regulation Measures: A provision of Rs.10 crore has been proposed for the Scheme under Traffic Regulation.

*Reconstruction of roads: - Works with a cost estimation of Rs. 250 crore will be undertaken soon. In addition, a provision of Rs. 10 crores has been proposed for filling potholes.

*A truck terminus will be developed at Modela Mill for which a provision of Rs. 1 crore has been proposed.

*To regulate heavy traffic in Thane city, it is planned to develop a truck terminus at Kharegaon through privatization.

*Construction of Natyagriha (theatre) at Wagle Estate: A provision of Rs. 5 crores has been proposed.

*Implementation of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) under Cluster Scheme

Under this scheme Rs., 149 crores is being provided for various works and implementation of these works is underway. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Thane Municipal Corporation and CIDCO in this regard.