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PCB accumulates ₹85 crore deficit as it waits for GST dues
The Pune Cantonment board administration, during an ordinary meeting on Saturday, approved a budget of ₹326 crore, wherein a major portion of the funds will be allocated to various development works in the area.
The Pune Cantonment board (PCB) has run into a deficit of ₹85 crore after the introduction of the goods and service tax (GST). The Cantonment board has not received its share of GST after local body tax collection was abolished across all Cantonments in the country.
DK Yadav, chief executive officer, PCB, said that the after the abolition of local taxes, the PCB is yet to receive its share of the GST revenue. “ We have a deficit of ₹85 crores and it will have an impact on the developmental projects we are executing for the citizens in the board area. However, we have sought additional funds from the Centre to make up for the loss and ensure that development is carried out in accordance with the laid down plans,” he said.
Yadav said that the board has also written to the state government in this regard. According to former and serving board officials, mounting inflation, rising urbanisation and tremendous pressure on the civic resources will have an impact on the development work being carried out in the Cantonment area.
The Pune Cantonment board administration, during an ordinary meeting on Saturday, approved a budget of ₹326 crore, wherein a major portion of the funds will be allocated to various development works in the Pune Cantonment area.
Meanwhile, civic activists have maintained that PCB administration must start taking advice from the citizens and civic experts in planning development works in the area, rather than unilaterally going ahead with the approval of the general body.
“Active feedback from citizens and their approval is also necessary for healthy and democratic functioning of the board ,” said Netraprakash Bhog, a grassroots civic activist from the Cantonment area.
