3 months ago
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Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) council connected Tuesday approved a revised budget of ₹1,643.64 for the twelvemonth 2026-27, after the YSRCP corporators raised objections to allocation of ₹450 crore for the stormwater drain project.
The tenure of the VMC elected assemblage volition extremity successful March, aft which the Special Officer would instrumentality connected the work of the corporation. In the last fund meeting, presented by Mayor R. Bhagyalakshmi, the initial proposed fund was ₹2,093.65 crore, with the total expenditure being ₹2,093.65 crore and the total income being ₹1,968.13 crore respectively.
However, YSRCP corporators unanimously opposed allocations of ₹450 crore for the stormwater drain project, aft which the fund estimates, some superior income and expenditure, were revised.
Of the ₹600-crore projected for the project, VMC’s projected stock is ₹150 crore, portion Capital Region Development Authority’s (CRDA) stock is ₹150 crore and concessionaire’s stock is ₹300 crore. The YSRCP corporators rejected the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) proposal, citing accrued load connected the public.
“Earlier too, Larsen and Toubro was given the declaration for completing the project, but they discontinued in between, leaving much work unfinished. Now, erstwhile again they speech astir handing it implicit to a backstage player. Ultimately, the burden volition autumn connected the public,” said YSRCP level leader Venkata Satyanarayana.
Among other proposed expenditures, ₹60 lakh has been allocated for structure homes for stateless people, ₹50 lakh for modernisation of nutrient street, ₹5 crore for improvement of elevation areas successful the city, ₹50 lakh for canal beautification, ₹3 crore for roadworthy widening projects, ₹50 lakh for footpaths, ₹5 crore for carnal commencement power operations and constitution of canine centres and ₹4 crore for eradication of mosquitoes.
TDP level person N. Balaswamy, meanwhile, suggested that the allocations for addressing mosquito and stray canine issues be accrued to ₹10 crore. The 2 issues person go subjects of treatment regularly successful assembly meetings.
No allocation has been made for the Budameru Development Plan this year, portion successful 2025-26, ₹7.50 crore was allocated for the same. The corp is not expected to person funds for the same.
On the income front, the corp is expected to person funds to the tune of ₹100 crore under Urban Reforms Funds, ₹178 crore nether the 15th Finance Commission Grants, ₹10 crore under the SASCI (Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment) scheme. It is not expected to person immoderate funds for contamination control.
The wide budget points to a inclination of expanding borrowings and burden, said CPI(M) corporator B. Satya Babu. He questioned the State government’s deficiency of backing for the city. There is ₹1,200 crore pending from some State and Centre connected assorted heads of work, helium alleged.
