Panchkula, March 11 — The Municipal Corporation (MC) approved a ₹300-crore budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 in a meeting held on Monday, outlining revenue sources and major allocations for civic development.
MC projected ₹28 crore from property tax, issuing notices to defaulters to clear dues. Stamp duty was set at ₹60 crore, while ₹11 crore was expected from land sales, despite no revenue being generated from this source in 2024-25. Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) is supposed to share 75% of its revenue from building plan approvals and plot sales with MC, but no amount has been received yet. The corporation projected ₹25 crore from this component and ₹5 crore from commercial advertising.
The largest allocation of ₹152.7 crore has been earmarked for infrastructure development. To manage the stray dog issue, ₹50 lakh has been set aside for control measures, while ₹2 crore will be used for purchasing vehicles and administrative equipment.
Several key policy decisions were also approved. To improve treatment for dog bite victims, five community centres will be equipped with doctors, nurses, and vaccines. Victims will receive ₹10,000 per tooth mark within a week, following Punjab and Haryana High Court directives. Pet owners will face a ₹500 fine for failing to clean up after their dogs in public spaces.
For urban planning, families living in slums for over 20 years will be allotted 1-marla residential plots at 2004 collector rates, pending government approval. The hilly areas of Chandimandir will be auctioned for children’s games, adventure sports, and food hubs under the PPP model. Additionally, 100 acres will be handed over to the Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority (PMDA) for an Education City project.
MC also plans a fresh survey to regulate street vendors and has given an April 15 deadline to a parking contractor who owes crores to the corporation.
Opposition Alleges Budget Manipulation
Congress councillor Salim Dabkouri questioned the budget’s credibility, pointing to unrealistic revenue expectations. “MC has projected land acquisition revenue despite zero earnings in the current fiscal year. Why hasn’t MC monetized its vacant land?” he asked. He also raised concerns about illegal mining on MC-owned land and the lack of action against violators.
Congress councillors further criticized the non-recovery of projected revenue from advertisements, hoardings, and unipoles, demanding accountability from MC officials.
