Nagpur: For the first time in its history, Nagpur Zilla Parishad’s Budget has crossed ₹50 crore, with chief executive officer Vinayak Mahamuni on Friday presenting a ₹53.67 crore outlay, marking a notable rise from last year’s ₹46.58 crore.A major portion of the Budget comes from stamp duty (mudrank), of which ₹30 crore will be available to the ZP after statutory reservations. Additional revenue sources from gram panchayats include weekly markets, ponds, and bank interest, taking the total outlay beyond ₹53 crore. The Budget places a strong emphasis on solar energy, water supply and sustainability, with plans to install around 1,400 KW solar systems across 350 gram panchayats out of the total 748. These rural water supply schemes will be solarised to reduce recurring electricity expenses, particularly in high-consumption areas like Fetri and Nagardhan, where bills run into lakhs annually. The project will come under the rural water supply department, for which ₹6 crore has been earmarked.Water conservation is another key focus area. Alongside routine pipeline repairs, the ZP will undertake source-strengthening measures such as recharge pits and rainwater harvesting to ensure long-term sustainability. Additionally, defunct RO plants will be revived, many of which have remained non-functional due to lack of maintenance. A provision for five-year annual maintenance contracts (AMCs) has also been included.In a boost to grassroots governance, ₹3 crore has been allocated to panchayat department for the first time under the Panchayat Raj Abhiyan.On the digital front, the administration plans 100% implementation of AI-based systems, including AI Tapal and monitoring dashboards, across departments like rural development and water supply. The education sector will see the rollout of new AI labs, 100 new libraries in addition to the recently inaugurated ones under the DREAM project, ICT labs, and AI labs on wheels, with ₹25 lakh allocated for infrastructure. Students in ZP schools will be offered foreign language training in German and Japanese, along with certification exams funded by the administration. Plans are also underway to develop cluster schools with better facilities and transport, and to organise exposure visits such as trips to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Overall, ₹5.38 crore has been allocated to the education department.The Budget also focuses on welfare of disabled (divyang) people, with proposed tie-ups with online delivery platforms. Under this initiative, the ZP will provide vehicles to divyang beneficiaries, facilitate their training through partner organisations, and ensure employment opportunities through collaborations with these platforms.Women empowerment schemes, particularly for widows, single, and abandoned women, will be expanded through training and employment linkages, including proposed collaborations with private firms. Mahamuni said there are over 45,000 single women in the district. For this, ₹3 crore has been allocated to the women and child department.The budget also addresses sanitation and waste management, aiming for improved segregation and coverage across villages. ZP officials said the focus this year remains on green energy, digital governance, sustainable water use, and inclusive rural development.quoteWe have focused this year’s Budget on sustainable growth, with solarisation, water conservation, and digital governance at its core. At the same time, we are strengthening education, healthcare, and livelihoods to ensure inclusive rural development. This is also the first time the ZP Budget has crossed the ₹50 crore markVinayak Mahamuni | ZP CEO Infographics:Department……………………….Allocated BudgetGeneral Administration…………. 4.58Finance………….…………………0.47Education………………………….5.38Construction………………………7Minor Irrigation…………………….1.50Health………………………………2.5Rural Water Supply………………6Agriculture…………………………1.83Animal Husbandary………………1.5Social Welfare………………………6Divyang Kalyan……………………..1.5Women and Child Welfare…………3Panchayat……………………………..3.0717 Collective Development schemes……7Depreciation Fund……………………2Deposit-Linked Insurance…………….0.15Forest……………………………………0.17Figures in crores
