The Newz Radar
The Dharamshala Municipal Corporation approved a budget of ₹141.23 crores on Tuesday, presented by Mayor Neenu Sharma during the budget session. The budget was unanimously passed in the presence of Commissioner Jafar Iqbal, Deputy Mayor Tejendra Kaur, Joint Commissioner Surendra Singh, former Mayor, and all councilors. No new taxes were introduced in the current budget, although surveys are underway to levy taxes in new and existing areas. Each ward has been allocated a budget of ₹1 crore, totaling ₹17 crores. Additionally, ₹60 crores have been earmarked from the government for sewerage system improvements in the merged areas of the Municipal Corporation. An allocation of ₹1.5 crores has been made for upgrading the Gaushala and establishing a shelter for stray animals. Other allocations include ₹7 crores for sanitation, ₹1.2 crores for parking facilities, ₹2 crores for Commissioner and Additional Commissioner residences, ₹2 crores for a shopping complex, and ₹0.3 million for toilet maintenance.
Furthermore, ₹1 crore has been allocated for natural disaster management, with provisions for councilors to receive ₹0.1 million each for addressing emergencies. Talks are underway to secure a ₹5 crore budget from the government for solar projects aimed at enhancing self-sufficiency in electricity. Measures to increase revenue include timely collection of dues from shops, property tax, rent, and waste management fees.
