No property tax will be collected from elderly

New Delhi: Keeping an eye on the upcoming civic polls, the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) on Friday finalised its budget by granting property tax exemption on residential properties of upto 26 square metres, offering insurance cover to rickshaw pullers and setting up of eight-storey car parking. It has also sent its proposal to the city administration for abolition of factory licences.

The Budget proposal, finalised by the leader of the house Vijay Praksh Pandey, gave exemption to self-occupied residential properties upto 26 square metres from property tax, saying that these properties largely belong to people from economically weaker background. “All senior citizens above 85 years would be exempted from property tax, if property is registered in their name,” said Mr Pandey, while lowering age from 100 years as proposed by the standing committee chairman Parvesh Wahi. Mr Pandey announced an insurance cover under Prime Minister Bima Yojna for rickshaw-pullers who are about 21 years of age and are in good state of health. Mr Pandey also doubled the insurance cover of municipal schools children to Rs1 lakh from Rs 50,000.

For improving sanitation services, Mr Pandey announced that as per the new rules notified by the Union government, segregation of waste at source is liability of garbage generator. Over 10,000 bins of 100 litre capacity will be installed in NDMC’s areas. “A survey of length of roads, lanes, drains in villages will also be conducted,” said Mr Pandey.

For opening of public conveniences, the NDMC has identified number of sites near roads, markets and parks above one acre. “Work orders for 42 have already been issued for construction. Tenders have been invited for developing 290 toilet blocks on BOT basis. 338 waterless urinals are being handed over for maintenance and provision of uninterrupted convenience to the citizens,” claimed Mr Pandey.

Mr Pandey also announced purchase of 20 trucks,10 loader-cum-excavators, six jetting-cum-suction machines, four bull dozers and two hydraulic excavators for Bhalaswa landfill site and more vehicle and machine to strengthen sanitation services at the cost of Rs 27 crore.

Mr Pandey also announced that the NDMC would develop 70 more schools into model schools and a four storey old-age home in an area of one acre at the cost of Rs six crore comprising 72 rooms in Shalimar Bagh.

To promote cycle as mode of transport for last mile connectivity, Mr Pandey announced that 25 cycle stands wil be allotted in 25 by 8 feet space for the purpose on advertisement rights. “This is being done to promote habit of cycling for one’s health and city’s pollution,” he said.