BBMP to draw budget draft by February 15?

BANGALORE: After serial episodes of scams and allegations, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) seems to have woken up to bring changes to the system. This year, the Palike has geared up to present the budget on time, unlike previous years. The BBMP officials are in the process of finalising the draft copy of the budget and have held preliminary meetings with various departments. Official sources said that they have almost completed the draft copy.“We will submit the copy before Taxation and Finance Committee by February 15,” BBMP Commissioner M K Shankarlinge Gowda said.For the past two consecutive years, BBMP has been presenting budget in the month of August. State government had objected when the Palike delayed in presenting the 2011-12 budget, which was approved by the BBMP Council in September, 2011. Government had directed the Palike not to take up new works and instructed to present the budget on time. While the ruling party is gearing up to present the budget on time this year, Opposition leader M Udayshankar questioned on what basis the ruling party was framing the budget for the year 2012-13. He said they had presented a budget for `8,446 crore in 2010, but spent only 35 per cent of the funds. In 2011, they presented a budget for Rs 9,941 crore and spent only 24 per cent of the total budget announced.“While 65 per cent of the amount was unused last year, this year 76 per remains unused. On what basis is the ruling party preparing the draft copy of the budget without completing the budget amount or works of the previous years,” he said. Further, Udayshankar, said, “They should invite all the Standing Committee chairpersons, Mayor, Commissioner, Opposition leaders and also JD(S) leaders before completing the draft copy,” he added.