Latest news with #Rs20.21

Time of India

At Rs20.21cr, NMC hikes civic poll budget by a record 167%

Nagpur: With the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) functioning without an elected general body since March 2022, the civic administration has steadily increased its budgetary provision for holding the impending 2025-26 civic polls, earmarking a record Rs20.21 crore. This allocation marks a significant 167% rise over the Rs7.56 crore spent during the last civic elections held in 2017 and a 242% increase compared to the Rs5.90 crore spent in 2012. The enhanced provision also reflects a 68.4% jump from the Rs12 crore NMC used to routinely set aside since 2021-22. However, with no elections announced until now, the civic body was diverting the earmarked funds towards providing basic amenities during mid-year budget revisions. Municipal commissioner and administrator Abhijeet Chaudhari, who presented a Rs5,438.61 crore budget for the 2025-26 fiscal, increased the provision anticipating State Election Commission (SEC) announcing the long-delayed polls this year. The new poll provision accounts for about 0.37% of NMC's total budget. A senior official from NMC's election department told TOI that the steep hike in allocation was based on the expected cost escalation due to inflation, increased staff deployment, technology use, polling logistics, and more polling stations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cervecería Nacional CFD: Calcula cuánto podrías ganar invirtiendo solo $100 Empieza a invertir Inscríbete ahora Undo "In 2012, the civic polls cost Rs5.90 crore which jumped to Rs7.56 crore in 2017. Considering the rise in operational and administrative costs, Rs20.21 crore has been earmarked this time," the official said. The govt has now ordered ward delimitation, reviving expectations of elections after three years. Once delimitation is finalised, the SEC is expected to issue the election schedule. Civic activists have welcomed the increased allocation but warned that elections must be held without delay. "This year's enhanced poll provision shows the administration is preparing seriously," said a source. However, the election department has a staff strength of only four officials. Even though election procedures have already commenced, the civic administration is yet to increase the manpower required for the election process. Sources said the department needs at least a workforce of 20, including computer operators. An official privy to the development admitted the shortage of manpower and clarified that the manpower too would be enhanced in a couple of days. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .