KOCHI: The City Corporation council on Tuesday passed its annual budget for 2017 - 18 incorporating slight modifications recommended by the councillors. Following vehement protests from both the ruling bench and Opposition, the special development charge proposed for houses near Metro stations has been dropped. However, additional tax will be collected from other buildings within a 500 metre radius of Metro stations, said deputy Mayor T.J. Vinod. The development charge will be imposed after commissioning of the Metro Rail.
"The civic body will also consider imposing additional tax for hoardings and billboards near Metro stations and viaducts in consultation with Kochi Metro Rail Limited authorities," said the deputy Mayor. Replying to the budget discussions, T.J Vinod said that a 1000-day action plan would be chalked out for completion of budget proposals. "A list will be prepared for executing the projects based on the time required for each proposal. During the three-year action plan, the ongoing and incomplete projects announced in previous budgets will also be included. Execution of projects will begin by May," he added.
