AMC revises FY '19 budget to Rs 6,990 cr

The richest civic body in the state, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), finalised on Friday its budget for the 2018-19 fiscal year at Rs 6,990 crore as proposed by standing committee chairman Pravin Patel.

Earlier, on January 19, 2018, AMC commissioner Mukesh Kumar presented a draft budget of Rs 6,550 crore. However, Patel later made some revisions and changes in the draft. He also announced councillor's annual budget allocation at Rs 25 lakh.

Kumar has proposed Rs 17 lakh in which Patel gives additional Rs 8 lakh a year. Of the total allocation, Rs 3 lakh is mandatory provision for cleanliness programmes.

A major portion of the budget allocation is for renovation and construction of buildings and roads. A sum of Rs 2 crore has been proposed for renovation of mayor house.

"The building is quite old and needs renovation as many international guests visit and meet the mayor on a regular basis. The house will have a conference hall, guest room and an office space ," said Patel.

Patel has also proposed the modernisation of Sardar Patel Bhavan at a cost of Rs 1 crore. A heritage building of the civic body, it was earlier used as the main office building.

In another development proposal, Patel repeated the past promise. When Anandiben Patel was chief minister, she had announced the redevelopment of Chandola lake, on the lines of the Kankaria Lakefront. Patel has allocated Rs 5 crore for the same.