Indian Express 19.12.2009
BMC rolls back cut on corporators’ ward funds
Yielding to resistance from corporators to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) austerity move of slashing 25 per cent of their ward development funds meant for unforeseen works, the civic body has withdrawn it.
Corporators stated that many repair works initiated in their wards were getting derailed because of the austerity move .
Shiv Sena corporator from Andheri Rajul Patel said, “The amount saved by imposing the cut would be negligible. The cut has stalled road repair works in my area.”
NCP leader Niyaz Vanu said the decision to impose the cut was illegal.
“The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Act states that any curtailment of a budget grant has to be approved by the Standing Committee first,” Vanu said.
Announcing that the cut will be rolled back, Municipal Commissioner Swadheen Kshatriya said, “The cut would have saved Rs 400-500 crore but at the cost of civic body repair works. Now, to save money, we will ensure that major projects like Middle Vaitarna are completed on time to avoid huge cost variations.”
