Delhi Municipal Corporation Presents Budget for 2025-26
On Thursday, Commissioner Ashwini Kumar introduced the budget for the new financial year 2025-26 in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. This year, the budget has increased by Rs 318 crore compared to the previous year. Last year’s budget for 2024-25 was Rs 16,683.02 crore, while this year it stands at Rs 17,002 crore.
No Major Infrastructure Projects Announced
In this budget, there were no significant infrastructure projects mentioned. Last year, multi-level car parking projects were discussed, and they have been included again this time. The budget highlights the release of parking spaces for 225 cars at the Punjabi Bagh crematorium, 399 cars in the GK1 market, and 196 cars at the Fatehpuri Market.
During the budget speech, the commissioner noted that the corporation has a liability of Rs 14,000 crore. Efforts are being made to enhance income through various channels.
Growth in Property Tax Revenue
The Commissioner shared that by January 2025, the corporation has garnered Rs 1,908.06 crore from property tax, marking an increase of Rs 215.65 crore from the previous year’s revenue of Rs 1,692.41 crore.
Increased Budget for Cleanliness
For the new financial year, the cleanliness budget has seen a substantial increase of Rs 800 crore. This year, the budget for cleaning has been set at Rs 4,900 crore, up from Rs 4,100 crore last year.
Key Projects Highlighted in the Budget
– Construction of a building in Karkardooma is ongoing, with approximately 90% of the work completed. The aim is to finish this building by June 2025.
– A two-storey hospital in Lajpat Nagar Colony has been completed.
– Under the Delhi Gramodaya initiative, the corporation has received 414 projects from the Delhi Development Authority, costing around Rs 522 crore. Out of these, 74 works are completed, and 208 are in progress.
– Some drainage works in the central region will also take place this financial year. The improvement of the Timur Nagar drain is estimated to cost Rs 3.38 crore, while the construction of an outfall drain from Mehrauli Badarpur Road will cost Rs 11.90 crore.
– The corporation has installed 13.25 MW rooftop solar power plants on 573 buildings.
– About 211 small composters have been planted, which will help process 543 metric tons of garbage daily.
– Development work for around 30 cremation ghats and cemeteries, including Dakshinpuri and Harkesh Nagar, is underway. Additionally, two electrical crematoriums will be constructed as part of CSR initiatives.
Opposition Leader Criticizes Budget Process
Raja Iqbal Singh, the Leader of the Opposition, criticized the ruling party for presenting the budget without discussions in ward committees. He pointed out that the commissioner should have presented the budget before the Standing Committee by December 10. Due to the ruling party’s failure to form the Standing Committee, the development work of the corporation has suffered. However, he welcomed the proposal of not imposing any new taxes, which he viewed as a relief for the public.
Departmental Budget Allocations
Here’s how the budget is allocated across various departments for the financial year 2025-26:
– General Administration: Rs 3,542.29 crore
– Licensing: Rs 12.82 crore
– Community Services: Rs 71.36 crore
– Education: Rs 1,693.73 crore
– Public Health and Medical Assistance: Rs 1,833.51 crore
– Cleaning: Rs 4,907.11 crore
– Public Works and Path Prakash: Rs 2,894.60 crore
– Veterinary Services: Rs 108.43 crore
– Horticulture: Rs 393 crore
– Land and Beneficial Project: Rs 91.90 crore
– Other Development Work: Rs 785 crore
– Debt Payment: Rs 667.73 crore
Total Budget: Rs 17,002.66 crore
The Leader of Opposition criticized the budget presentation process, stating it was done without discussion in ward committees and affected development work.
