Mira-Bhayandar: In the absence of an elected body since 2022, Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) chief and administrator- Sanjay Katkar rolled out a Rs 2,694 crore seemingly practical budget having a surplus of Rs 84.57 lakh (fiscal year 2025-26) for the second consecutive year on Thursday.

From 1,562 crore in 2017, this year’s budget has touched a new high of Rs 2,694 crore within a span of eight years. The current figures exceed last year’s estimations by around 397 crore. Apart from grants and existing loans amounting to Rs 378.46 crore and Rs 225.59 crore respectively, the civic administration plans to avail additional loans amounting Rs 439.42 crore.

The budget has projected revenue generation of Rs 2694.89 crore (including previous balance) from various avenues as against the estimated expenditure of Rs 2,694.05 crore. Despite a shortfall this year, property tax collections continue to contribute a lion’s share in the annual budgets as the administration anticipates Rs 323,25 crore, this year.

The early bird incentive scheme for property tax payers will remain in force this year. The other sources of revenue generation include Rs 195 crore (development fees), Rs 322.48 crore (GST grant), Rs 61 crore (stamp duty grants), Rs 25 crore (pending LBT arrears), Rs 209.92 crore (water bills), Rs 59.48 crore (fire department fees) and Rs 6 crore (advertisement rights) amongst others.

"Apart from training focus on tapping new avenues of revenue generation, trimming avoidable expenses, enhancing basic facilities and real-time monitoring of infrastructure projects to ensure completion in a time-bound manner, our emphasis is to enhance the quality of education to municipal school students, social welfare schemes for women empowerment, better connectivity by mooting a network of cement roads in the twin-city and steps to improve air quality index. Health, education, infrastructure, environment and transparent working are the main pillars of our budget," said Katkar.

The MBMC plans to set up more dialysis units for patients, increasing the capacity of beds by 50 and a special new-born baby care unit at the municipal hospital in Mira Road. Although 1,321 out of 2704 sanctioned posts are lying vacant, administrative expenses mainly salaries to 1383 staffers hovers above Rs 192.59 crores.