Civic administration’s budget likely to reach Rs 3,500 crore

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

The municipal corporation’s budget will be presented to the standing committee next week. The budget to be submitted by the administration is expected to be around Rs 3,500 crore. It is assumed that the standing committee and the general body together may increase it by Rs 500 crore. According to sources, the final approved budget may reach around Rs 4,000 crore.

Since April 2020, the municipal corporation did not have corporators. Therefore, for nearly five and a half years, the civic administration prepared the budget keeping the city’s needs in mind. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent economic slowdown, the corporation could not implement several major projects. So far, the budgetary process has largely been dominated by the administration. Now, the influence of political representatives is expected to be reflected in the budget.

On March 27, 2025, chief accounts and finance officer Santosh Wahule had presented a budget of Rs 3,083 crore and 40 lakh 99 thousand in expenditure to administrator G. Sreekanth. In the revised budget, a deficit of Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 crore is likely to be observed.

Municipal commissioner G. Sreekanth has reviewed each department and directed them to submit proposals regarding the works required. Most departments have already submitted their proposals, and the process of finalising the figures is currently underway. According to sources, the administrative budget is likely to be around Rs 3,500 crore.

Loan of Rs 822 crore

The municipal corporation has received approval for a loan of Rs 822 crore for the new water supply scheme. The loan amount will have to be paid to the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran during the financial year 2026–27. Sources said that since Rs 822 crore has been included in the budget, the overall budget appears larger. In reality, if establishment expenses, essential works, pension for retirees and monthly payments for major projects are considered, the core budget comes to around Rs 2,500 crore.

Rs 2 crore allocation for each ward

There are 29 Prabhags in the city, and four corporators have been elected from each Prabhag. Each corporator will be allocated up to Rs 50 lakh, which means development works worth Rs 2 crore can be undertaken in each Prabhag.

Budget to be presented soon

The budget will be presented next week. Final proposals from some departments are still pending. Once they are received, a time will be sought from the standing committee chairperson to present it.

— Santosh Wahule, chief accounts and finance officer.