Belagavi City Corporation presents surplus budget

Members of the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) passed a surplus budget for the coming financial year 2026- 27.

Ruling party members applauded when Rekha Mohan Hugar, Chairperson of the Taxation, Finance and Appeal Standing Committee, presented the budget. The document estimates receipts at ₹442.54 crore and an expenditure of ₹441.62 crore, leading to a surplus of around ₹92 lakh.

On the expenditure side

₹2.10 crore has been earmarked for sterilisation of stray dogs and the construction of shelters.

The corporation has allocated ₹5 crore as its contribution to the CITIES 2.0 programme for upgrading solid waste management.

A major outlay of ₹38.25 crore has been set aside for outsourced cleanliness services

₹11 crore has been earmarked for salary of permanent civic workers.

₹4 crore has been reserved for scientific waste management

₹50 lakh for street light maintenance.

The budget provides ₹27 crore for overall development work, ₹2 crore lakh for protection of open spaces, ₹1. 35 crore for park development, ₹2 crore lakh for UGD connections and community halls, and ₹1. 45 crore for procurement of electronic devices to enhance digital administration.

Income

BCC expects ₹85 crore from property tax

₹7.55 crore from penalties and property transfer fees

₹9.89 crore from building permissions and development cess

₹11. crore from sale of vacant properties

₹9. 75 crore from solid waste management cess

₹4. crore from trade licences

₹5 crore from new underground drainage (UGD) connections

Its grants and other revenue sources include ₹3.22 crore from the SFC Fund, ₹62.64 crore under SFC electrical grants, ₹21 crore from the 16th Finance Commission, ₹1. 69 crore from scrap sale, and ₹1.50 crore as road-cutting compensation.

Opposition questions numbers

Some opposition members, led by Azim Patavegar, questioned the credibility of the revenue projections. He alleged that last year’s figures had fallen short of the estimates, especially in property tax collection.

BJP member Hanumant Kongali, however, termed the numbers realistic. He said the budget was prepared after consulting stakeholders, and described it as practical.

Mayor Mangesh Pawar, Deputy Mayor Vani Vilas Joshi, and Commissioner Karthik M. were among those who were present at the presentation of the budget.