BUDGET PASSED WITH A DEVELOPMENT ORIENTED VISION

BUDGET PASSED WITH A DEVELOPMENT ORIENTED VISION

15-MARCH-ENG 12

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA---------------------------The Shahpur Nagar Panchayat in the Bhojpur district has passed its new budget for the upcoming financial year 2026-27, outlining its development plans and administrative priorities. The budget was presented before the House during a meeting held at the Nagar Panchayat office, presided over by Chief Councilor Jugnu Devi; following a discussion, it was approved. This year's budget has been presented with a surplus of approximately ₹1.49 crore (₹1,49,10,000).

In this budget prepared for the financial year 2026-27, the Nagar Panchayat's total estimated receipts are projected at ₹53,35,82,700. This figure includes the unutilized balance of ₹2,25,27,204 carried over from the previous year, bringing the total budgetary outlay to ₹55,61,09,904. On the expenditure front, the Nagar Panchayat administration has projected a total estimated outlay of ₹54,11,99,400. Based on these figures regarding income and expenditure, a savings of approximately ₹1.49 crore is estimated by the end of the financial year.

If the current budget is compared with that of the previous financial year (2025-26), a decline in the total budgetary outlay is evident this time around. Last year, the Nagar Panchayat's total budget stood at ₹61,58,13,489, whereas this year, the figure has contracted to just under ₹56 crore.

A review of the previous year's data reveals that for the financial year 2025-26, total estimated receipts—comprising grants received from the Central and State governments as well as internal revenue—amounted to ₹60,05,47,700. During that period, a total expenditure of ₹57,91,15,450 was proposed. In the previous budget, a provision of ₹37.30 crore was made for infrastructure and development works (capital expenditure), while ₹20.60 crore was allocated for establishment and other revenue-related activities.

During the budget meeting, with the objective of maintaining transparency, the Nagar Panchayat administration provided a summary of the budget to all ward councilors prior to the commencement of discussions. Although the size of the budget has decreased compared to the previous year, the estimated closing balance of ₹1.49 crore indicates that the administration is moving towards financial discipline and the balanced utilization of resources.

The budget includes a provision to spend approximately ₹17,31,39,400 under the revenue expenditure head. Meanwhile, approximately ₹36,80,60,000 has been earmarked under the capital expenditure head for infrastructure and other development works. Under the Bihar Municipal Act, 2007, the Nagar Panchayat has set a target of ₹22 lakh for the recovery of outstanding and current property taxes.

Additionally, a plan has been formulated to bring all new and unassessed properties within the municipal area under the ambit of the holding tax. Recovery efforts will be expedited by publishing a list of major defaulters in newspapers, and notices will be issued to those who have not yet registered their properties for holding tax assessment.

The budget includes a provision of ₹5 crore for housing schemes and ₹15 lakh for the allowances and grants of elected representatives. Furthermore, ₹22 lakh will be spent on the water supply system, ₹10 lakh on the cleaning and repair of drains, ₹10 lakh on street light maintenance, and ₹2.20 crore on waste management services. There is also a plan to spend ₹50 lakh on the construction and development of a 'Vendor Zone' to organize street vendors. The budget meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Councilor Jhuniya Devi, Executive Officer Nishat Alam, and Junior Engineer Jayanandan Chaudhary, along with several ward councilors, including Sanjay Kumar Chaturvedi, Manoj Paswan, Devanti Devi, Babita Devi, Aarti Devi, and Nilu Devi. Meanwhile, Councilor Kameshwar Raj—who had distanced himself from the meeting—expressed his reservations regarding the draft budget, describing it as complex and difficult to comprehend.