AMC tables Rs 975.91 crore tax-free deficit budget

The Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) on Monday proposed issuing municipal bonds worth Rs 100 crore for financing development projects. According to Mayor Dipak Majumder, AMC is the first civic body in the North East to make such an effort. 

The announcement was made during the budget session of the civic body. Earlier, Majumder presented a budget of worth Rs 975.91-crore for the 2026-27 financial year.

“The civic body has estimated total receipts at Rs 974.93 crore and total expenditure at Rs 975.91 crore, resulting in a deficit of Rs 97.67 lakh. No new taxes have been proposed in the budget,” said Majumder. 

He, however, revealed that no new taxes had been introduced in the budget and it was the first e-budget of the AMC. 

“This is the first e-budget in the history of the Agartala Municipal Corporation,” he said.

On the municipal bond, Majumder said the proposed municipal bonds would be used to finance the modernisation and renovation of four major city markets — Lake Chowmuhani Bazar, Durga Chowmuhani Bazar, GB Bazar and Border Gol Chakkar Bazar.

“No other municipal corporation in the North East has so far introduced such a mechanism to finance public projects. We are doing this and a sum of Rs 100 crore will be raised through these bonds,” said Majumder. 

The mayor said a major portion of the expenditure, amounting to Rs 536.45 crore, has been earmarked for capital expenditure, with emphasis on urban infrastructure and civic amenities.

He said Rs 108 crore has been allocated for urban infrastructure projects in different parts of the city, while the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing Rs 167 crore for development of 19 km of roads, modification of drainage systems and construction of a new water treatment plant.

According to the budget proposals, Rs 20 crore has been allocated under the Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF), while Rs 1 crore has been earmarked for setting up slaughterhouses in selected areas, including Bhattapukur, Pratapgarh and the Pragati School area.

Majumder said three new electric furnaces would be installed at Battala and Chinaihani cremation grounds. Efforts are also being made to modernise burial facilities for minority communities.

He said tax collection systems would be introduced in all ward offices to strengthen revenue collection. 

“Since 2021, we have not introduced any new taxes. Through administrative measures and improved revenue generation, several projects have been undertaken by the corporation,” he said.

The mayor also announced the establishment of a 50-bed paperless Agartala Civil Hospital, which will provide specialist outpatient services during evening hours.

He said the budget reflects a strategy focused on sustainable urban development, infrastructure creation and expansion of civic services.