Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC)’s announcement of a Tk4,004.60 crore budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year signals a strategic shift towards fiscal realism and administrative efficiency.
By opting not to increase tax rates for city dwellers, Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Abdus Salam has positioned the corporation to rely on expansion of its revenue base and curtailment of unnecessary expenditures.
This approach is reflected in the tax revenue target of Tk941.09 crore, which, while slightly lower than the previous year’s initial target of Tk944.34 crore, represents a significant intended increase over the revised figure of Tk832.48 crore from the last period.
The overall budget size has grown by Tk163.22 crore compared to the original 2025-26 fiscal plan, suggesting an ambitious yet calibrated expansion of municipal activities.
With a total projected income that includes a Tk730.93 crore opening balance, the corporation aims to draw Tk1,815.74 crore from revenue and Tk1,457.93 crore from development sector.
This financial structure underpins a development-heavy expenditure plan, with Tk1,904.42 crore allocated for development projects compared to Tk1,559.68 crore for operating and capital costs.
Central to this fiscal roadmap is the “Clean City–Green City” initiative, which prioritises area-based balanced development alongside critical urban challenges such as waterlogging, dengue control, and environmental protection.
The administrator’s characterisation of the budget as “ambitious but implementable” reflects a focus on enhancing citizen services and improving the road and traffic system without placing a direct financial burden on residents through new taxes.
Instead, the corporation intends to bolster its income through newly identified revenue sectors.
Beyond the figures, the budget addresses systemic urban management issues, particularly waste management and traffic discipline.
The administrator identified waste disposal as the most significant challenge and a shared responsibility between corporation and public, suggesting that effectiveness of current systems depends heavily on civic and business compliance.
Moreover, the plan to register hawkers with identity numbers and bring rickshaws under an area-based registration system represents a structured attempt to establish order in the city’s traffic movement.
By promising transparency and accountability, the administration seeks to transform these fiscal allocations into tangible welfare improvements for the people.
