PUNE: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has set up the Revenue Department to generate additional income sources to boost revenue. The Standing Committee approved formation of the department on Tuesday. 

In 2014, senior Congress corporator Aba Bagul had demanded formation of a revenue committee of corporators, which would suggest new revenue sources. It was formed but could not serve the purpose. 
BJP’s newly-elected Standing Committee Chairman Hemant Rasane reintroduced the idea. A Revenue Department with the deputation of civic officials has been formed. 

Rasane said, “The revenue committee still functions but holds only meetings. However, nothing happened which could boost the revenue of the civic body. Now, the Standing Committee has formed a special department comprising 15 civic officials who will suggest new income sources to increase revenue. We have deputed Superintendent Engineer Amar Shinde as head of the department. He will report to Additional Municipal Commissioner Rubal Agrawal and the Standing Committee.” 

He said, “Right now, the PMC has limited resources of revenue such as property tax, Local Body Tax (LBT) and development charges. The civic body has to plan to increase revenue and find new sources. The difference between the actual income and expenditure is very high and should be reduced. If money is generated from new sources, it can help in dealing with the problems caused by lack of funds.”

According to PMC officials, the formation of the department is a welcome move. The municipal budgets are getting inflated day by day but the income sources are limited. The civic administration, on an average, generates Rs 3,000 crore per year. The budget provisions amount to over Rs 5,000 crore. A dedicated department may prove a step in the right direction.