Hyderabad, January 11: The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) council approved the draft budget of Rs 3,311.14 crore on Monday for year 2011-12.
The budget was approved by mayor Banda Karthika Reddy amidst protests from the TDP and BJP corporators as well as Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) claiming the budget was unrealistic and anti-poor.
The MIM demanded a separate budget for development of the Old City while 50 corporators demanded separate package for the erstwhile 12 municipalities. TDP said the budget lacks direction as there was no mention of schemes for women and weaker sections.
Compared to the 2010-11 budget, there is an increase in outlay by over `600 crore for 2011-12. The mayor said there was no increase in property tax and the budget would focus on all-round development particularly on improving slums, urban community, roads and construction of houses for slumdwellers under the Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY).
Other works like re-modelling of storm water drains, road-widening, sanitation would be also taken up.
Capital expenditure (Rs 12,031 crore) includes land and land improvements (Rs 225.75 crore), bridges, flyovers and subways (Rs 221.98 crore), roads and pavements (Rs 311.70 crore), MMTS (Rs 217 crore), storm water drains (Rs 86.48 crore), water supply and sewerage (Rs 31.5 crore), street lighting (Rs 30 crore) and housing (Rs 791 crore). Revenue receipts include tax revenues (Rs 653.39 crore), assigned revenues (Rs 449.50 crore), fees and user charges (Rs 522 crore), income from grants (Rs 10.33 crore), rental income (Rs 24.11 crore).
—Agencies