NMC passes annual budget for `1,492 cr

Nellore: The Nellore Municipal Corporation (NMC)council meet which met here passed a resolution demanding for Special Category Status to the state. The TDP corporators shouted slogans against the Union government for not according the Status to AP. They staged protest in front of the Mayor’s podium in the conference hall and appealed to the Council to make a resolution on the Special Status on behalf of the civic body.

Meanwhile, heated arguments took place between the TDP and BJP corporators. TDP district spokesperson and corporator Dr Z Siva Prasad alleged that the Central government had failed to provide the Status for the development of the state.

 Nellore Municipal Corporation had approved its annual budget with Rs.1,492 crore. Corporation budget meeting was started at 11.43 a.m and the Mayor Abdul Aziz introduced the annual budget at 12.20 pm.  Members of the Council have raised civic issues in their respective divisions. 

Corporation is expecting a revenue of Rs.195 crore from various sources such as taxes, assigned revenue, rental income, fees and user charges, hiring charges, grants, contributions, subsidies and deposits. In addition, funds of Rs. 1,184 crore  from schemes of the Central and state governments. 

The NMC would take up a special drive to provide water connections to all households in the city, said the Mayor.

Floor leader of the YSR Congress P Roop Kumar Yadav questioned how Corporators get prepare on the subjects related to the annual budget as the Corporation authorities have distributed the copies only on March 27. He also asked why the Corporation authorities had organised council meeting on the same day after budget meet is over.

Commissioner S Alim Basha replied that the council meetings and budget sessions are different and Council meeting is being held after the budget session is over even in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation. But, Mayor Aziz had announced that the council meet would be held on April 10.

Corporation had allocated Rs.34 Cr for development of the municipal  schools in the city limits. Corporation had spent Rs.36 lakh for the Advanced Foundation Course in municipal schools and the civic body is expecting support of Rs.1 crore from the state government, said the Mayor.

Commissioner Alim Basha explained that they would take alternative steps to provide drinking water at the places where drainage water enter drinking water connections.