KMC Commissioner presents budget, proposes hike in taxes

Kolhapur, Mar 22 (UNI) Kolhapur Municipal Commissioner Kunar Kumar today presented a surplus budget for the year 2008-2009 that proposes a hike in property tax and water cess.

Mr Kumar, speaking to reporters after presenting his budget to the Standing Committee, said that considering Kolhapur Municipal Corporations (KMC)'s limited revenues from octroi, property tax, and water cess, the hike in the taxes has become necessary.

However, the state government, in the budget proposals presented on March 19, has announced the decision to abolish octroi from Class 'D' municipal corporations.

The budget, presented by the Kolhapur Municipal Commissioner, envisages a revenue of Rs 398.73 crore against an expenditure of Rs 398.64 crore.

Mr Kumar said the budget lays emphasis on undertaking e-governance for efficiency and transparency in the administration.

Priority has been accorded to developing basic infrastructure, provision of adequate drinking water, proper drainage system, improving the health services, and such others, Mr Kumar said.

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