Talking to Express Newsline, a BJP councillor said on condition of anonymity, ``Weighing the political benefits, facilities to be provided to the citizens and the administration's performance, all councillors came to the conclusion that it would be best if additional taxes were avoided. Instead, the civic body should concentrate on tapping other sources to raise funds''. The councillors have also suggested that the fire tax be imposed on buildings higher than 20 mts, rather than 15 mts, as proposed. ``Going by the permissions granted in the past, it is likely many old, three-storeyed buildings in the city will unnecessarily come into the tax net'', he said.

The councillors have resolved to take up the matter strongly before the General Board.

The councillors said they had no apprehensions over the abolition of octroi, as ``the State government has agreed in principle that if it is abolished, it will substitute the amount lost on octroi to help maintain the 17 per cent rate of growth of the civic body''.

The councillors have, however, criticised the proposed abolition of the fodwari budget and the adjustment of the same with funds from the councillor's quota.

``The 100 per cent development planned by the commissioner is for the peripheral areas of the city. But what happens to the existing city? We cannot ignore maintenance of the respective wards and if the quota is reduced, where will we get the money for the city?'' asked one of them. However, the councillors said they'd agree to the removal of the fodwari of their quotas were increased by Rs 5 lakhs to Rs 10 lakhs.

``As it is, fodwari is a waste of time considering the procedures involved. So, if the amount is covered by the general budget and an allocation is made for us to use when the need arises, we won't object to its abolition'', a councillor said.

Alleging that the municipal commissioner had not submitted the list of developmental works undertaken in the respective wards with the budget proposals, he added, ``We have no information about what work has been undertaken where. And if further works are to implemented, then there have to be allocations for the same in the budget''.