PNS | DEHRADUN
One of the biggest challenges of the newly elected municipal councillors and mayor of the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) will be addressing the financial constraints that limit the development works in the city. Despite having an annual budget of about Rs 300 crore, only about Rs 80 crore remains for development projects after accounting for various expenses as per the officials. According to them, this amount is extremely low than the corporation’s current need.
A major reason for this shortfall is reportedly the limited collection of property tax as only about 40 to 50 per cent of three lakh residential and non-residential properties contribute to property tax revenue. Many residential areas, especially in 40 wards that were recently added to MCD, have been granted exemption from property tax until 2028. The MCD generated about Rs 60 crore in the last financial year. Other revenues, such as vendor licenses and miscellaneous taxes, reportedly contribute to an annual collection of approximately Rs 80 crore, as per the officials.
The MCD spends a substantial portion of the budget, about 60 per cent, on sanitation, particularly garbage collection and disposal, which remains one of the city’s persistent challenges. Despite these financial struggles, several experts argue that the issue is not just about budget constraints but also the lack of vision and intent among elected representatives. Dehradun-based activist Lokesh Ohri pointed out that many municipal officials and councillors fail to understand the full potential of the corporation, often limiting their focus to basic cleanliness drives rather than implementing structured development plans. He emphasised that with a strategic approach, MCD could generate additional resources and involve volunteers in each ward to oversee sanitation and other civic issues.
He also stressed the need for a strict plastic ban at its source to tackle the growing problem of garbage accumulation, which is not only affecting roadsides but also harming forests and river ecosystems, increasing the risk of human-wildlife conflict. Environmental activist and lawyer Reenu Paul echoed these concerns, stating that meaningful change in Dehradun depends more on the intentions of public representatives rather than their political affiliations or the size of the municipal budget. “Over the years, I have observed that most of the elected officials prioritise personal interests over public welfare, resulting in minimal progress. Now I find it difficult to believe that they will actually work for public welfare in Dehradun. However, I still hope that the new mayor and councillors will demonstrate a genuine commitment to improving the city rather than using budgetary limitations as an excuse for inaction,” she said.
Experts opined that with Dehradun’s infrastructure demands increasing, the newly elected representatives face a crucial test. Whether they can overcome financial constraints with effective planning and strategy will remain to be seen but the city does need a clear and decisive roadmap for sustainable development, they added.
