Chandigarh, 29 January 2025: Amid Chandigarh Municipal Corporation’s ongoing financial crisis, which has stalled development projects since May 2024, UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria on Tuesday reiterated the need for the civic body to enhance its revenue and reduce reliance on external funding.
Chairing a meeting with senior officials from MC and the UT administration to discuss the corporation’s financial woes and budgetary demands for 2025-26, Kataria reviewed its income-expenditure details at the UT Secretariat.
He mentioned that the MC should improve revenue generation by optimizing property tax collection, recovering pending dues on property tax and water charges, reforming tax bylaws, and rationalizing manpower.
“Instead of depending on financial assistance, the corporation must focus on strengthening its own resources,” Kataria told officials, reinforcing a position he has taken in previous meetings where MC representatives sought additional funding to mitigate the crisis.
As part of immediate measures, the administrator directed government institutions, including PGIMER, Panjab University, and PEC, to clear their outstanding property tax and water bill arrears.
He further instructed MC to utilize its vacant properties and land more efficiently to improve financial stability.
MC Commissioner Amit Kumar, who presented the corporation’s financial position, again requested an additional grant-in-aid.
He pointed out that while MC’s income sources and expenditures have risen, the grant-in-aid has not increased proportionately.
He proposed revenue enhancement through arrear recoveries, revising the property tax structure, maximizing advertisement earnings, renting out community centers, and optimizing MC’s land and properties.
The meeting was attended by UT Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma, Additional Chief Secretary to the Governor K Siva Prasad, Principal Secretary to the Governor Vivek Pratap Singh, UT Finance Secretary Diprava Lakra, Health Secretary Ajay Chagti, and other senior UT officials.
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