The civic administration has announced an additional Rs 1 crore for each BMC corporator as part of their development fund in a pre-election bonanza, surprising all. This is besides their local fund, which is Rs 60 lakh per year.
Some corporators are calling the increased amount a bribe of sorts by municipal commissioner Sitaram Kunte to ensure that the civic standing committee and the general body approve the civic budget without any hiccups. The administration wants to ensure that the budget is approved before the election code of conduct comes into place. The standing committee approved the budget on Wednesday, while the general body is likely to pass it later this week.
"We had asked the municipal commissioner to give us more funds and are glad that our demand has been approved. Many development works can now be taken up. We will also request the administration to allow corporators to undertake works in private layouts, at least in slum-free wards. I'm sure the entire fund will be used," said Rahul Shewale, Chairman of the civic Standing Committee.
While corporators are happy with the bonus, some of them said that with two elections due in the coming months, they will not be able to use the sanctioned amount with the code of conduct in place.
"Its good that more development fund has been sanctioned this year. Most corporators will be able to take up more development works for the benefit of citizens. However, the BMC must plan more at the micro-level rather than announcing blanket policies or just sanctioning funds," said Rais Shaikh, Samajwadi Party group leader in the BMC.
Some corporators are calling the increased amount a bribe of sorts by municipal commissioner Sitaram Kunte to ensure that the civic standing committee and the general body approve the civic budget without any hiccups. The administration wants to ensure that the budget is approved before the election code of conduct comes into place. The standing committee approved the budget on Wednesday, while the general body is likely to pass it later this week.
"We had asked the municipal commissioner to give us more funds and are glad that our demand has been approved. Many development works can now be taken up. We will also request the administration to allow corporators to undertake works in private layouts, at least in slum-free wards. I'm sure the entire fund will be used," said Rahul Shewale, Chairman of the civic Standing Committee.
While corporators are happy with the bonus, some of them said that with two elections due in the coming months, they will not be able to use the sanctioned amount with the code of conduct in place.
"Its good that more development fund has been sanctioned this year. Most corporators will be able to take up more development works for the benefit of citizens. However, the BMC must plan more at the micro-level rather than announcing blanket policies or just sanctioning funds," said Rais Shaikh, Samajwadi Party group leader in the BMC.
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