Mayor Neenu Sharma presented the Dharamsala Municipal Corporation’s annual budget for the year 2025-26 on Tuesday, allocating ₹141.51 crore with a strong emphasis on environmental protection.
A key highlight of the budget is the launch of the ‘Dharamshala Solar Mission’, aimed at promoting renewable energy. As an incentive, domestic consumers installing three-kilowatt solar panels will receive a 10% discount on house tax, while commercial buildings will get a 5% tax relief for solar panel installations.
Revenue Boosting Measures
To enhance the city’s revenue, the Municipal Corporation has proposed several measures:
Increased cess on liquor: The cess on English liquor will rise from ₹1 to ₹5, while that on country liquor will increase to ₹3.
Electricity cess hike: The per-unit cess on electricity will be raised from 1 paisa to 10 paisa.
Mandatory rainwater harvesting: All new residential and commercial buildings must incorporate rainwater harvesting systems to obtain construction approval.
Urban Development Initiatives
To address parking issues, the corporation has proposed:
Multi-storey parking facilities
Roadside yellow-line parking zones
Additionally, a budget provision of ₹1 crore per ward has been made for localized development projects.
Key Budget Announcements
Rainwater harvesting to be promoted through rooftop collection systems.
Renovation of natural water sources and wells to ensure sustainable water management.
Fast-tracked construction of a Night Street Food Market, with 50 shops to be built at a cost of ₹5 crore.
The budget presentation was attended by Deputy Mayor Tejinder Kaur, along with councilors and former mayors.
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