Rs 1,736-crore budget presented in Thane civic body

Thane, Feb 11 (PTI) Thane Municipal Commissioner R ARajeev today presented a Rs 1,736-crore budget which does notpropose any hike in existing taxes or new taxes.

Standing Committee Chairman Milind Patankar presidedover the meeting in which Rajeev presented his first-everbudget of the corporation after taking over as the civicCommissioner last year.

In his speech before the committee, Rajeev said stresshad been laid on various facets including, improving healthservices and living conditions in the city.

Every effort is being made to increase green cover inthe city by developing parks, lakes and other environmentalsites, he said.

The civic chief highlighted works being carried outunder the Centre-sponsored Jawaharlal Nehru Urban RenewalUrban Mission (JNNURM) to infrastructure.

A lazer show highlighting historical importance of thecity has been planned at the Masunda lake, Rajeev said, addingan ice skating facility will also come up.

He said provision has been made in the budget forsurvey of major projects like mono rail and bypass roads.

As far as revenue collection was concerned, Rajeevsaid Rs 210 crore will come from building and land taxes, Rs486 crore from octroi, Rs 278 crores by way of property tax,Rs 129 crore by way of water supply and sewerage taxes.

The corporation will adopt GIS system to identifyproperties and bring them under the property tax net toincrease the civic body''s income, he said.