The recent budget proposals of three municipal corporations for financial year 2015-16 have made one thing crystal clear. While the three bodies have steered clear of each other over time and bragged about their independence, the functioning of three-tier Municipal Corporation of Delhi shows glaring similarities. All three corporations have increased the basic unit values of property taxes, and also pushed for increase in lump sum one-time street charges to a host of other new proposals.
The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), which presented the budget on November 18, increased basic unit area value (BUAV) by 45 per cent, whereas, the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NMC) proposed an increase of 50 per cent in the same. The East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) announced an increase in BUAV by 45 per cent.
SDMC also proposed an increase in one-time parking charges; a similar proposal was made by EDMC and NMC. As per NMC recommendations, one-time charges for vehicles up to Rs6 lakh would cost Rs5,000, up to Rs10 lakh will cost Rs9,000 and owners of vehicles above Rs20 lakh would cost two per cent of the vehicle price. Similarly, one-time street charges for vehicles up to Rs4 lakh would increase from Rs2,000 to Rs4,000. The charges for four-wheelers costing up to Rs10 lakh would cost Rs15,000 from previous Rs4,000. Street charge for vehicles costing above Rs20 lakh would jump from Rs4,000 to Rs30,000.
Besides, the three corporations have also hiked the parking rates. While NMC and SDMC hiked the parking rates in November, EDMC followed suit on November 14. With prices having nearly doubled, the corporation is hoping to steer clear of the traffic mess. While the parking rates of EDMC and SDMC stand in line with each other, NMC prices vary.
While the trifurcation has taken place within the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the functioning and requirements of the three independent bodies remain unaltered.