Polls ahead, RMC approves budget without 95cr tax increase

Rajkot: The standing committee of the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) unanimously approved the revised budget for the financial year 2026–27, rejecting the Rs 95-crore tax increase proposed by the municipal commissioner in the draft budget last week. Presenting the revised budget for Rs 3,604.90 crore on Tuesday, standing committee chairman Jaymin Thakar said the political wing focused on citizen welfare and infrastructure without raising the financial burden on citizens. "Our goal is to ensure that the people of Rajkot get full value for their taxes through better services and greater satisfaction," Thakar said while addressing the media. In an election-year move, the RMC introduced an interest waiver scheme for property and water tax defaulters. Residents can avail of a waiver of up to Rs 5,000 on interest for unpaid property tax and an additional Rs 5,000 on interest for water tax dues.The scheme will come into effect on Wednesday and be in force till March 31. Civic officials estimate that around 50,000 properties of the nearly 6 lakh in the city have property or water tax dues. The civic body elections will be held after April and this announcement drew attention in political circles. Racecourse will also undergo beautification and renovation. The project includes redesigning internal roads to make them traffic-free, widening footpaths, upgrading gardens, increasing seating areas, creating a special garden for persons with disabilities, and renovating public toilets and signage. The budget has provisioned Rs 10 crore for this projectThe RMC has provisioned Rs 25 crore for infrastructure to support 100 new e-buses under the PM-eBus Sewa, a pilot project for a SCADA water monitoring system to prevent wastage, a gaming zone under the Nana Mauva bridge and food zone that can accomodate 900 in Mavdi with ‘sky dining'