News
19th June, 2006
BMP may mop up Rs 800 crore from taxes
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`Concerted efforts needed to tackle infrastructure problem' |
The Bangalore Mahanagara Palike could mop up about Rs 800 crore from taxes to reduce its dependence on borrowing, which is one of the reasons for its inability to meet growing civic infrastructure demands. BMP's property tax collection, which is a key component of its revenues, was only Rs 250 crore last year.
Under-valuation and evasion of property tax had forced BMP to depend on borrowings, while its internal revenue generation was only Rs 500 crore against an estimated annual budget of about Rs 1,000 core.
Mr K. Jairaj, Commissioner of BMP, at a roundtable on Bangalore's Infrastructure, organised by the Bangalore Chamber of Industry & Commerce, said unless citizens complied with their statutory obligations, BMP resource mobilisation capability cannot improve.
Brand Bangalore
Top Government officials representing the key departments of Karnataka State Governmentvowed to decongest Bangalore, improve quality of life and maintain the brand `Bangalore'. The officials said that they would see various key projects implemented within the next 12 months.
The BCIC President, Mr Anant R. Koppar said, "The State is losing its pre-eminent position in job creation to neighbouring States due to lack of basic infrastructure. Concerted efforts have to be taken to solve this problem."
The Bangalore Development Authority Commissioner, Mr M.K. Shankaralinge Gowda, said, "We are also coming out with a master plan for Bangalore by September 2006, which will be valid till 2015."
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