This being an election year, the BMC budget does not mention new taxes, but citizens will eventually have to shell out more from their pockets, as the expenses of the civic body, not only on big projects but also on salaries, have steadily been increasing over the years. Without increase in income, civic services will be hampered. The BMC has been shelling out more than 45 per cent of its income on salaries compared to seven years ago. In the 2021-22 budget, revenue expenditure was estimated at R20,276 crore, and revised to Rs Continued from page 1

The revenue expenditure increased from Rs 16,055 crore to Rs 22,745 crore in the past six years while the income was almost steady with exception of 2021-2022, when the BMC received a boost through the Development Plan receipts that earned Rs 13,550 crore (almost 40 per cent of the total revenue). The revenue from 2016 to 2020 was around Rs 23,000 crore while the revenue expenditure increased every year. The capital cost on project works also increased from Rs 3,850 crore in 2016-17 to Rs 16,866 crore in the same period.