₹7.79 crore surplus budget for Hubballi-Dharwad for 2026-27

A ₹7.79 crore surplus Budget with a total outlay of ₹1,603 crore for the financial year 2026-27 was presented by the Hubballi Dharwad Municipal Corporation in Hubballi on Monday.

Presenting the Budget, Chairperson of the Standing Committee for Taxation, Finance and Appeals Meenakshi Vantamuri said that the budget has been structured around seven core principles aimed at strengthening urban governance.

“The seven principles are increasing municipal revenue through technology-based systems, implementing ward-level development plans, welfare measures for pourakarmikas (sanitation workers), targeted welfare programmes, installation of LED streetlights across the city, strengthening solid waste management and environmental protection and ensuring 24×7 continuous water supply,” she said.

According to the Budget presented by her, the corporation expects total receipts of ₹1,603.26 crore and expenditure of ₹1,595.47 crore during 2026-27 leaving a surplus of ₹7.79 crore.

As has been the case with municipal bodies, government grants continue to form a significant portion of the municipal corporation’s receipts.

The corporation expects to receive ₹705.92 crore in government grants, accounting for around 44% of the total receipts.

Non-tax revenue is estimated at ₹435.08 crore (27%), while tax revenue is projected at ₹332.91 crore (21%). Revenue from lease amount of corporation assets is pegged at ₹17.25 crore (1%).

Interestingly, the corporation expects a revenue of ₹111 crore (7%) from sale of property and other assets of the municipal corporation for which no permission has been given by the government for the last several years.

Expenditure

The corporation has allocated ₹1,057 crore (66%) for capital asset creation, ₹245.43 crore (15%) for human resources and salaries account for ₹245.43 crore, while ₹156.78 crore has been allocated for operation and maintenance.

Improved tax collection

The municipal corporation is pinning its hope on technology driven revenue generation measures, including 3D GIS-based property survey, which it believes will increase tax collection.

The 3D GIS-based property survey estimated to cost ₹23.5 crore is under way and 80% of the work is completed.

HDMC, which has collected ₹186 crore from property tax during 2025-26, aims to aims to collect ₹333 crore from property tax during 2026-27. It has set a long-term target of ₹500 crore annually.

The corporation is expecting to recover ₹142 crore from settlement of long-pending water bills through waiver of interest on water bills and for the purpose, sought permission from the government.

HDMC is expecting to receive ₹82.21 crore under the 16th Finance Commission, which is nearly double of the previous allocation.

It also expects ₹38.75 crore under the AMRUT 2.0 Scheme and ₹ 20 crore under Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0.

New initiatives

The municipal corporation plans to introduce an online e-Khata system, enabling citizens to apply for and obtain property records from their houses and this apart, a Revenue Vigilance Squad has been formed to identify commercial establishments operating without trade licence, building permissions or completion certificates and to impose penalties.

Under the Ward Vikas Yojana, each councillor has been allocated ₹1.50 crore for development works in their wards.

The Mayor will get a special grant of ₹5 crore and Deputy Mayor ₹3 crore for development works, while the municipal commissioner will have the discretionary power to award development initiatives worth a total of ₹5 crore.

​Under the smart LED initiative, a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project worth ₹93 crore has been initiated under which 75,000 traditional streetlights across all 82 wards will be replaced with smart LED lights.

The project, which includes a centralized command center, will be implemented in 2026-27.

Pink e-auto

With an objective of facilitating woman empowerment, Pink e-auto will be given to women in each ward of the municipal corporation. For the purpose, ₹4.10 crore has been earmarked in the budget.

The other budgetary proposals include ₹5 crore for upgrading Channamma’s statue at Kittur Chennamma Circle in Hubballi and ₹25,000 for girl students who secure the highest marks.

Leader of Opposition Imran Yaligar and Floor Leader Iresh Anchatageri and others spoke on the budget giving their suggestions.

Published – March 16, 2026 09:03 pm IST