Adoption of budget estimates

(1) The Council shall, on or before the 31st day of March of every year, adopt for the ensuing year the budget estimate which shall be an estimate of the income and expenditure of the Council to be received and incurred on account of the municipal government of New Delhi. (2) On or before the 15th day of February of each year the Council shall determine the rates at which various municipal taxes, rates and cesses shall be levied in the next following year and save as otherwise provided in this Act the rates so fixed shall not be subsequently altered for the year for which they have been fixed. (3) Budget estimates shall be prepared in such form as may be approved by the Council and presented and adopted in such manner and shall provide for all such matters as are prescribed by regulations made in this behalf. (3) As soon as any such hydrant is completed, the Chairperson shall deposit a key thereof at each place where a public fire engine is kept and in such other places as he deems necessary. (4) The Chairperson may, at the request and expense of the owner or occupier of any factory, workshop, trade premises or place of business situated in or near a street in which a pipe is laid (and not being a trunk main and being of sufficient dimensions to carry a hydrant), fix on the pipe and keep in good order and from time to time renew one or more fire hydrants, to be used only for extinguishing fires as near as conveniently may be to that factory, workshop, trade premises or place of business. (5) The Chairperson shall allow all persons to take water for extinguishing fires from any pipe on which a hydrant is fixed without any payment.