Don't expect any new infrastructure project when the BBMP presents its budget on Thursday. It'll give thrust to development of roads in newly added areas as announced in the last budget.

Despite finance crunch, the Palike is set to go in for another inflated budget with an outlay of nearly Rs 11,000 crore. Last year, BBMP presented an inflated budget of Rs 8,848 crore. But not even 30% of the works announced were taken up due to lack of funds.

As of July 31, BBMP got total loan of Rs 2,903 crore from different financial institutions. "The move now is to raise loan from Hudco (Housing and Urban Development Corporation) for Rs 3,000 crore and repay the ones taken from other private banks. But the loan will blow up the budget outlay,'' officials said.

"The problem that BBMP faces is inadequate resources. The city is growing but the corporation is not getting enough funds and revenue generation hasn't been good. That's why, most of the projects declared last year haven't seen the light of the day," said ABIDe member Ashwin Mahesh.

MLAs' DEMAND
Once again, city legislators are eyeing the budget - they have demanded that Rs 140 crore be kept aside as MLA's fund. There are 28 assembly constituencies within BBMP's limits and most of the MLAs are from BJP. Last year, when MLAs had made similar demands, corporators from Congress and JD-S had taken objection and it was scrapped. But this year, the MLA fund is likely to be added in the budget.

Besides, this year the mayor's fund will be of Rs 100 crore and the deputy mayor will get Rs 25 crore which can be used for infrastructure work.