The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has revealed its comprehensive budget for the financial year 2024-25, amounting to a substantial ₹59,954 crores. The BMC budget 2024 presentation was led by the Municipal Commissioner and IAS officer Iqbal Singh Chahal, emphasizing key areas such as women`s empowerment, healthcare, basic amenities, cleanliness, and pollution control.

Key budget highlights:

Total revenue estimate: The total revenue is projected at ₹35,749.03 crores, with the total revenue expenditure estimated at ₹28,121.94 crores. The total capital expenditure is approximately ₹31,774.59 crores, maintaining a revenue and capital expenditure ratio of 53:47. An additional ₹58.22 crores has been allocated for surplus funds.

Health budget: Significantly, the BMC budget 2024 allocates a substantial ₹7,191.13 crores for healthcare, constituting 12&#37 of the total budget. Various initiatives, including the establishment of the `Chief Minister Arogya Aplya Dari` program, `Arogyam Kutumbam` plan, and the creation of Cancer Prevention Model and Heart Rejuvenation units, aim to enhance healthcare infrastructure.

Women`s empowerment and assistance: The budget earmarks ₹13,331.63 crores for assistance from Zakat collection, ₹4,950.00 crores from property tax contribution, and ₹5,800.00 crores from development plan grants, focusing on empowering women.

Welfare for differently-abled: The `Dharmaveer Anand Digha Divyang Financial Assistance Scheme` receives a budgetary allocation of ₹111.83 crores, providing financial support to individuals with disabilities above 18 years.

Citizen welfare initiatives: The budget highlights support to 1600 savings groups with ₹1 lakh per group for economic aid, totaling ₹160 crores. Infrastructure development projects include the Coastal Road Project (₹29,000.00 crores), Dahisar-Bhayander Link Road (₹2,200.00 crores), Mumbai Coastal Road (North) (₹1,130.00 crores), GMLR (Goregaon-Mulund Link Road) (₹1,870.00 crores), and the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) Project (₹4,090.00 crores).

Educational initiatives:

Budget overview: The BMC`s commitment to education is reflected in its budget allocation for the fiscal year 2024-25. With a total plan outlay of ₹3497.82 crore, the budget focuses on providing quality education in primary and secondary schools.

Infrastructure enhancement: Significant investments are directed towards the repair, up-gradation, and reconstruction of 479 school buildings, with a budget provision of ₹266.77 crore. Additionally, the allocation of ₹7 crore for primary schools and ₹2 crore for secondary schools is designated for the up-gradation of 224 computer labs.

Welfare schemes & projects: The BMC continues its support for educational welfare schemes, including the free distribution of scholastic materials (₹130 crore for primary and ₹32 crore for secondary schools), maintenance of water purifiers (₹1.54 crore), and attendance allowance for girls (₹7.53 crore for primary and ₹42 lakh for secondary schools).

New projects and schemes: The BMC introduces new initiatives for the upcoming fiscal year, such as the pilot initiative for organic farming in collaboration with the District Planning Committee, provision of Modern School Dictionaries with an allocation of ₹3.52 crore, establishment of open gymnasiums in 200 schools, and financial assistance schemes for meritorious students.

Grants from state government: The budget includes provisions for grants from the state government, expecting ₹506.73 crore for primary education and ₹203.37 crore for secondary education.

5 things in the budget that can impact Mumbaikars:

Major impetus in education: The budget places a significant emphasis on education, indicating potential improvements in the quality of education across primary and secondary schools.

Reforms in estate department: The budget suggests reforms in the Estate Department of BMC, indicating changes in the management and utilization of properties.

Ease of travel: Infrastructure projects like the Coastal Road and Dahisar-Bhayander Link Road aim to enhance connectivity, potentially impacting the ease of travel for Mumbaikars.

Better care: The substantial allocation for healthcare initiatives, including hospital infrastructure development, indicates a focus on improving healthcare facilities for residents.

IT initiatives: The budget mentions IT initiatives, signaling potential advancements in technology-driven solutions for civic services and governance.

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