"No New Taxes, Focus on Improved Compliance to Boost Revenue Collection
The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) presented a comprehensive budget of ₹5,645 crore for the financial year 2025-26 on Friday, prioritizing urban development, citizen welfare, and financial stability. The budget, presented to Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Saurabh Rao, marks an increase of approximately 12.9% from the previous year’s ₹5,000 crore allocation.
Highlighting financial prudence, Rao emphasized that the new budget refrains from imposing fresh taxes or raising existing rates. Instead, the civic authority plans to enhance revenue through improved tax compliance. The strategy involves identifying and bringing unregistered or under-taxed properties within the taxation framework.
Major Revenue Sources and Allocations
For the fiscal year 2025-26, the Thane Municipal Corporation expects significant contributions from various revenue sources, including:
- ₹841.58 crore from property and other taxes
- ₹650.8 crore from development charges
- ₹1,441.79 crore through GST and governmental grants
Key Development Initiatives
The budget outlines substantial financial commitments toward urban infrastructure projects and public welfare schemes:
- AMRUT 2.0 Scheme: ₹80 crore earmarked for urban renewal and infrastructure enhancement.
- Rajiv Gandhi Medical College: ₹132 crore allocated to construct the new college building along with staff quarters, significantly boosting healthcare infrastructure.
- Anand Ashram Area Development: ₹3 crore reserved for the redevelopment of Anand Ashram, associated with late Shiv Sena leader Anand Dighe.
Enhancing Public Transport and Civic Amenities
In addition to healthcare and urban renewal, the TMC has allocated ₹285 crore toward improving public transport services. The fund will strengthen the city's bus connectivity, especially vital given Thane's proximity to Mumbai, and enhance municipal services including solid waste management and public education infrastructure.
Vision for a Self-Sufficient and Self-Reliant Thane
Municipal Commissioner Rao stated that the TMC aims to transform Thane into a "Swayampurna" (self-sufficient) and "Atma Nirbhar" (self-reliant) city within the next four to five years. The current budget demonstrates financial discipline, strategic investments in essential infrastructure, and proactive measures to ensure citizen welfare, culminating in a surplus of ₹66 lakh.
This strategic budget presentation underscores the corporation’s commitment to sustainable growth, citizen-centric development, and financial self-reliance.
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