HDMC presents surplus budget for 2026-27 with major push for property tax and civic projects

Pic: Taxation, finance and appeal standing committee chairperson Meenakshi Vantamuri and her team entering HDMC general body meeting hallHubballi: The Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) presented a Rs 7.7 crore surplus budget for 2026-27 in Hubballi on Monday, projecting revenue of around Rs 1,603.2 crore and expenditure of Rs 1,594.4 crore. The budget was higher than that of other corporations in the state, except those in Bengaluru.Taxation, finance and appeal standing committee chairperson Meenakshi Vantamuri and her team presented the budget amid appreciation from ruling BJP members, while opposition Congress members were ambiguous about the data provided in the budget copy. The budget set a target of Rs 897 crore from the corporation's own resources and expected Rs 706 crore in grants from the central and state govts.A key proposal was to collect Rs 333 crore in property tax next year, compared with Rs 186 crore this year, an increase of 80%.The budget projected this rise due to the completion of a GIS survey of properties in Hubballi-Dharwad and bringing them under the tax net. Other revenue proposals included raising Rs 100 crore by selling leased properties and another Rs 100 crore through on-time settlement by writing off interest on pending water bills. The budget increased allocations for ongoing projects and schemes and proposed giving the revenue vigilance squad a free hand to levy penalties on properties that did not receive building permission and a completion certificate. The corporation expected an increase in allocation under the 16th Finance Commission to Rs 82.2 crore, which was doubled when compared to the 15th Finance Commission.Meenakshi allocated Rs 1,064 crore for capital expenditure out of total payments of Rs 1,595.4 crore. Other major expenditures included Rs 245.4 crore for human resources and Rs 156.7 crore for maintenance. The budget earmarked Rs 1.5 crore each for 81 members as a ward development fund, while an Opposition member urged increasing it to Rs 2 crore. The budget allocated Rs 4.1 crore to distribute pink e-autos to women as part of an idea of emancipation of women.The budget promised to complete the installation of LED bulbs across the twin cities, extend the 24x7 drinking water project to the entire Hubballi-Dharwad of 320, undertake solid waste management, and develop gardens and lakes using Central grants, besides taking up works under the Mahatma Gandhi Nagara Vikasa Yojane.Highlights:The budget set out 7 formulas to make HDMC independent and ensure progressEnsure tax collection from railways, airport and industrial layoutsRs 5 crore for upgrading the citadel of Channamma's statue in Kittur Rani Channamma CircleComplete construction of 320 houses for civic labourersRs 25,000 for girl students who secure the highest marksRs 5 crore for the construction of the GB meeting hall in Hubballi