The Times of India              30.01.2014  

Business-friendly BMC may give traders 5-yr, not annual, licences from one window

MUMBAI: The BMC budget for 2014-15 is unlikely to flag off any big-bang projects though it is election year, but several announcements have been lined up to make life easier for Mumbaikars, said civic officials.

Among the beneficiaries will be residents of private layouts - large private townships of which there are more than 196 in the city - as the civic body is likely to extend the full range of its services to these societies.

Residents of BMC buildings, living in fear since one collapsed in Mazgaon in 2013 killing over 60 people, can breathe easy. Civic officials said a large chunk of the budget, to be presented on February 4, will be allocated for repair and reconstruction, particularly after several fire brigade, BMC office and staff quarters buildings were declared dilapidated.

Another highlight will be the BMC's decision to go business-friendly. It will not only start a business development department, but provide single-window access for all licences. Moreover, renewal of most of its licences required by commercial establishments may be needed every five years, instead of annually now.

In the private layouts, the BMC at the moment provides only water supply. Now, they plan to extend amenities such as maintenance of roads and streetlights, collection of garbage, etc to the buildings. The cost-sharing formula is in the works. In 2002, the state government had said the BMC should bear two-thirds of the cost and the rest would be paid by the housing societies within the layouts.

The BMC will also invest to update its IT apparatus, refurbish its website and introduce several online interfaces for the citizens to use. "Mobile apps, online health system, online payment of the civic taxes will be introduced," said a senior civic official.

The online push will be strong in the water department. "We are remodelling the business process in the water department by making it all online. From application for water line to paying of bills, all can be made online," said a department official.

The BMC also plans to introduce spot billing and collection of water bills.

Stress will be laid in the budget on operation and maintenance of the civic infrastructure in the city. The solid waste management department, handling one of the primary responsibilities of the BMC, will undertake three pilot waste-to-energy plant projects to manage waste in the city.