MC passes annual budget amid din by Cong councillors
The Amritsar municipal corporation on Friday passed its annual budget worth Rs 349 crore amid protests and charges of passing a "deficient budget"levelled by Congress councillors led by RajKanwal Preet Pal Singh Lucky, leader of the opposition in the MC House.
The Amritsar municipal corporation on Friday passed its annual budget worth Rs 349 crore amid protests and charges of passing a "deficient budget"levelled by Congress councillors led by RajKanwal Preet Pal Singh Lucky, leader of the opposition in the MC House.
Out of Rs 349 crore, Rs 91 crore has been earmarked for development under the head of non-committed expenses; Rs 65 crore for committed expenses; Rs 218 crore for establishment expenses; and Rs 15 crore as contingency fund.
Municipal commissioner DPS Kharbanda said the annual budget was passed unanimously by the House, which also gave its nod for incorporating loans from the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) and various banks. "The budget was passed to shoulder the important expenses,"he added.
Lucky, however, alleged that the Congress councillors were not allowed to speak, even though they disapprove some of the aspects of the budget. He reiterated that the financial condition of the MC was poor.
"MC's income is not likely to exceed Rs 282 crore and they have passed a budget of Rs 389 crore. Their revenue earning departments have failed to achieve their annual targets and they are planning to cover the deficit of `108 crore with loans from HUDCO and various banks. Why don't they ask for funds from the government,"questioned Lucky.