BBMP night budget throws no light on details

Budget presentation is the time for optics. But budget preparation by Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) this time was mired in so many controversies that the 2022-23 financial vision for Namma Bengaluru had to be quietly presented late in the night to beat the midnight deadline.
In the budget, the civic body projected a total revenue collection of Rs 10,484 crore from various sources, including property tax, state and central government grants and others. The total expenditure during the corresponding period is estimated to be Rs 10,484 crore. BBMP is expecting to raise Rs 3,680 crore from property tax and cess, a major revenue source for it.
After the Palike published the annual budget on its website minutes before the new fiscal year dawned, many representatives, experts and citizens criticised the civic agency. Former mayors and councillors called it nothing but a ‘buyers’ budget’.
Former BBMP mayor and Congress leader BN Manjunath Reddy described the budget as a ‘gambler’s and buyer’s budget’ as the document doesn’t provide details about the projects for which outlays have been earmarked. “So, there is ample opportunity for those who have the power to grease palms that matter to get the projects they want and it is anybody’s guess if the projects will be what the city really needs,” said Reddy.
Reddy said BBMP’s financial system has collapsed as bills worth nearly Rs 20,000 crore are pending clearance. With the specifics lacking in the budget, people who matter can really push their hobby horses, he added.
“When the elected body is in power, it’s common to consult all civic agencies, NGOs and experts before preparing the budget. Last year, even without the elected body, the budget was presented in the council. This year it was propagated as a realistic budget, but the officers presented it without consulting any of us,” Reddy regretted.
“A few months ago, BBMP had finalised and awarded a night tender stoking controversy. We hope the night budget doesn’t become a precursor for more such exercises and crucial decisions aren’t taken keeping everyone in the dark,” said former mayor Gangambike Mallikarjun.
‘No consultations’
Former Congress leader in the house M Shivaraj said that realistically, the budget should have been of the size of about Rs 8,500 crore and what has been proposed isn’t realistic. He regretted that only BJP MLAs were involve in the exercise.
BJP corporator Umesh Shetty too expressed disappointment with the the budget. “For nearly two years, BBMP is being run without elected representatives. There were no consultations, no meetings and no information regarding the budget till it was stealthily presented at night.”
No top BJP functionaries from Bengaluru, including ministers, responded to calls from any sources.
BBMP special commissioner (finance) said the budget was presented in the presence of Palike chief commissioner Gaurav Gupta after approval from administrator Rakesh Singh.