Thu Mar 20 15:38:32 UTC 2025: ## Hubballi-Dharwad City Passes ₹1,512 Crore Surplus Budget Amidst Opposition Protest

**Hubballi, March 20, 2025** – The Hubballi Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) passed a surplus budget of ₹19 crore for the 2025-26 financial year on Thursday, amidst protests from the Opposition Congress members. The budget, totaling ₹1,512.67 crore, represents a ₹20.92 crore increase from the previous year.

Chandrashekhar Managundi, chairman of the Standing Committee on Taxation, Finance, and Appeal, presented the budget, outlining five key initiatives: tripling revenue through property tax and internal resources via a GIS survey; installing LED lights through a public-private partnership; achieving 100% door-to-door waste collection; completing 24×7 water supply; and providing essential infrastructure.

The budget anticipates ₹1,512.67 crore in revenue, with ₹694 crore expected from state and central government grants. Property tax is projected to contribute ₹283 crore, with additional income from other taxes (₹20 crore) and non-tax sources (₹296 crore), including ₹200 crore from property monetization.

Expenditure is estimated at ₹1,493.60 crore, with 65% (₹978 crore) allocated for capital expenditure. This includes ₹105 crore in ward funds, along with separate funds for the municipal commissioner, Mayor, and Deputy Mayor. Significant allocations include ₹170 crore for roads and drainage, ₹152 crore for the Mahatma Gandhi Nagar Vikasa Yojana, and a projected ₹60 crore for solid waste management under the Swachh Bharat Mission. The budget also includes ₹75 lakh for a health insurance scheme for councillors, civic laborers, and media personnel.

The budget presentation was disrupted by Congress members protesting a comment made by a BJP member. Despite the uproar, Mayor Ramanna Badiger declared the budget passed.

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