Nashik Municipal Corporation Presents Comprehensive Draft Budget for 2026-27 Fiscal Year
In a significant development for urban governance, Nashik Municipal Commissioner Manisha Khatri officially unveiled the Nashik Municipal Corporation's (NMC) draft budget for the financial year 2026-27 on Monday. The comprehensive financial blueprint, totaling a substantial Rs 3,011.9 crore, outlines the civic body's fiscal priorities and strategic allocations for the upcoming year.
Key Revenue Proposals and Tax Adjustments
A notable highlight of the draft budget is the proposed 15% increase in advertising tax, which is scheduled to come into effect from April 1, 2026. This move aims to bolster municipal revenues and support expanded public services. Commissioner Khatri formally presented the detailed draft to Standing Committee Chairperson Machhindra Sanap, who has promptly scheduled a special committee meeting for Thursday to thoroughly discuss and approve the various proposals.
Substantial Allocations for Ward Development and Corporator Funds
The civic administration has earmarked a significant Rs 50.2 crore specifically for ward development and corporator funds in the new fiscal year. This allocation is strategically divided, with Rs 39.6 crore designated for critical ward development initiatives and Rs 10.6 crore set aside for corporator funds to facilitate local governance. Commissioner Khatri clarified that while Rs 52 crore was allocated for these purposes in the ongoing fiscal year, any unspent amounts will be carried forward to 2026-27, ensuring continuity in developmental works.
Financial Projections and Expenditure Trends
According to the commissioner's detailed presentation, the Nashik Municipal Corporation anticipates total receipts of Rs 2,868.8 crore in the upcoming fiscal, complemented by an opening balance exceeding Rs 143 crore. However, in a strategic shift, the capital expenditure provision has been significantly reduced to Rs 736.9 crore, marking a sharp decline of nearly 50% compared to the previous year. It is important to note that this capital outlay explicitly excludes works related to the highly anticipated Kumbh Mela.
Concurrently, the civic administration has revised the capital spending target for the 2025-26 financial year, increasing it from Rs 1,031.3 crore to a revised Rs 1,501.9 crore, reflecting a substantial upward revision. Revenue expenditure has also seen an upward trajectory, rising from Rs 1,982 crore in the current financial year to Rs 2,273 crore projected for 2026-27.
Enhanced Allocations for Critical Service Departments
While the draft budget does not propose any major new projects for the next financial year, several essential service-related departments have received increased financial provisions. The health department, for instance, sees a 19.8% rise in its allocation, escalating from Rs 33.8 crore in the current financial year to Rs 40.5 crore in 2026-27. This boost will support the operationalization of a new 12-bed dialysis centre at the Balasaheb Thackeray Hospital, formerly known as the New Bytco Hospital, during the coming fiscal. Additionally, the Tapovan building is being upgraded to expand health services specifically for the Kumbh Mela period.
The education department has received a major financial boost, with its allocation rising sharply to Rs 24.9 crore for the new fiscal from a mere Rs 4 crore this year. Similarly, the financial provision for solid waste management has been increased from Rs 138.7 crore to Rs 161.8 crore, addressing urban cleanliness. The streetlight budget has also been enhanced significantly, more than doubling from Rs 2.2 crore in the current fiscal to Rs 5.6 crore for 2026-27, aiming to improve public safety and infrastructure.
Detailed Revenue Projections and Expenditure Breakdown
On the revenue side, the civic body projects an income of Rs 2,868.8 crore, apart from the opening balance. This includes:
- Rs 1,738.3 crore from the GST grant, which also encompasses Rs 120 crore earned through the 1% local body cess levied on property transactions.
- Rs 285.3 crore from property tax collections.
- Rs 75 crore from water tax revenues.
- Rs 223.7 crore from various taxes collected by the town planning department.
The total projected expenditure for 2026-27 stands at Rs 3,010 crore, with a substantial Rs 471 crore earmarked for roads, bridges, and other critical works under the public works department, underscoring the focus on infrastructure maintenance and development.
