Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation Greenlights Rs 9,332 Crore Annual Budget Following Extensive Deliberations
In a late-night session concluding around midnight on Tuesday, the general body of the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) gave its final approval to the civic body's annual budget for the upcoming financial year. The approved outlay stands at a substantial Rs 9,332.17 crore, marking a significant increase of Rs 414 crore from the initial draft presented on February 28. This decision came after a marathon debate lasting approximately 12 hours, during which nearly 1,100 suggestions from various stakeholders were incorporated into the final document.
Corporators Voice Concerns Over Deteriorating Financial Health and Alleged Corruption
During the intense debate, corporators representing diverse political parties united in their criticism of the municipal administration. They expressed grave concerns over the deteriorating financial health of the PCMC, attributing the situation largely to the period of administrative rule that preceded the current elected body. Allegations of corruption during that time were also raised, with demands for a comprehensive and transparent inquiry into the matter.
Opposition leader Bhausaheb Bhoir highlighted a stark contrast in the civic body's financial position. "In 2016, the civic body had fixed deposits worth Rs 4,844 crore. Had they been preserved and managed wisely, that amount would have grown to nearly Rs 10,000 crore by now," he stated. Bhoir further revealed that, according to details submitted to the Bombay Stock Exchange during a green bond issuance last year, the PCMC is currently facing liabilities of approximately Rs 7,000 crore for various ongoing and planned projects.
Strategic Focus on Strengthening Revenue Streams and Funding Development
The revised budget introduces an allocation of Rs 10 lakh for each corporator to undertake development works within their respective wards. Standing committee chairman Abhishek Barne outlined the administration's primary strategy: prioritizing the strengthening of revenue streams. A key focus area is expediting construction-related permissions, which is seen as a major revenue generator.
"Increasing the building permission department's revenue will directly help fund essential development works across the entire city," Barne emphasized. The draft budget had projected Rs 750 crore in revenue from building permissions. Barne expressed confidence that this figure could see an increase of Rs 258 crore, as lingering issues related to environmental clearances and land measurement—which hampered progress last year—are expected to be resolved promptly.
He provided a historical benchmark, noting that in the 2021-22 financial year, the last budget before administrative rule, the PCMC had earned an impressive Rs 1,000 crore through building permissions. The administration aims to reach similar revenue levels by the 2026-27 financial year.
Comprehensive Revenue Enhancement Plans Across Departments
The budget outlines a multi-pronged approach to bolster municipal finances:
- The sky sign department is anticipated to generate approximately Rs 34 crore through revised rates for hoardings and advertisements.
- Regarding water supply, nearly Rs 120 crore is pending in unpaid dues. Barne suggested that introducing an amnesty scheme, similar to one previously offered for property tax, could lead to the recovery of at least Rs 20 crore in the coming financial year.
Leader of the house Prashant Shitole underscored the urgent need to enhance revenue from the water supply system. He pointed out a significant discrepancy: while there are about 7.5 lakh properties in the city, only 1.83 lakh official water connections exist. Even after accounting for shared connections within housing societies, Shitole argued the number should logically be at least 4.5 lakh. "This glaring gap strongly indicates the presence of a substantial number of illegal connections, which must be addressed to secure rightful revenue," he asserted.
Ambitious Projects and Allocations for Key Initiatives
The approved budget also lists several ambitious projects with a cumulative worth of nearly Rs 140 crore. While funding is not yet fully secured for all these initiatives, their inclusion in the budget will facilitate quicker execution once financial arrangements are finalized. Notable allocations include:
- Rs 40 crore earmarked for the long-pending Pavana closed pipeline project, aimed at improving water supply infrastructure.
- Rs 25 crore proposed for the construction of a memorial dedicated to Ajit Pawar at the new administrative building premises, with Rs 5 crore allocated for the current financial year to initiate the work.
The lengthy approval process and the substantial budget reflect the PCMC's efforts to navigate financial challenges while planning for the city's growth and infrastructure needs in the year ahead.
