Tk 265.98crore KCC budget announced

In the proposed budget, Tk 36.24 crore has been earmarked as revenue income while Tk 229.51 crore as development grants.

No new tax has been imposed.

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The budget envisages construction of Khalishpur Community Complex, Mayor Bhaban, picnic corner at Rajbandh, crematory for Hindus, renovation and development of important roads through ashphalt plants, implementation of an interim water supply project at Phultala and installation of 40 shallow tubewells in the city.

The revised budget for last fiscal year (2003-04) stood at Tk 57.26 crore.

Announcing the new budget at a press conference at the Zia Hall, Tayebur termed it a development-oriented surplus budget.

He said there is no need to maintain an autonomous body like Khulna Development Authority (KDA) as it has failed to serve the purpose for which it was established.

"Thus a huge amount of money, required for maintaining the KDA, could be diverted to strengthening the KCC," he added.

Stressing the need for setting up of a separate 'Planning Cell' in KCC and other city corporations of the country, Tayebur said a conference of the mayors will be held in Dhaka shortly with this end in view.

"I have been authorised to call such a conference as the eldest mayor of the country," he said.

Mayors of Chittagong and Sylhet City Corporations have already given their consent for the conference aimed at greater development of the country sinking political differences, Tayebur added.

While announcing the budget, he expressed his resentment for the reluctance of city dwellers to pay the taxes.

This was the 10th budget Tayebur placed as elected mayor of KCC.