For Rs.1cr bonus, budget passed in 5 minutes BMC group leaders, standing committee members set to get cash bounty

For Rs.1cr bonus, budget passed in 5 minutes

BMC group leaders, standing committee members set to get cash bounty

It took five months for the BMC to decide on their budget for the year 2012-13. On Wednesday, all it took was five minutes and it was passed unanimously. The mystery behind this BMC budget of Rs 26, 581core has now been revealed. For their support, group leaders, standing committee members and corporators are set to receive Rs1 crore, Rs25 lakh and Rs40 lakh respectively. On Wednesday, the standing committee of the BMC made an internal transfer of Rs100 crore to the budget and announced that the each corporator will get additional funds of Rs 40lakh to develop their wards. There was no objection from the opposition parties including the Congress, NCP, MNS and SP and the budget was passed. Sources say that all group leaders and standing committee members will get additional funds of Rs1 crore and Rs25 lakh respectively apart from the Rs40 lakh for the wards. Dhananjay Pisal, NCP group leader in the BMC, said, “In our meeting we were asked to submit proposals to support our demand of additional funds, which we have done. As a group leader, we have to look after the wards of fellow corporators apart from our own ward to undertake various development work,” he explained. Sandeep Deshpande, standing committee member said, “We have mentioned the work that will be carried out in the proposal. I am sure it will get approval soon”. When contacted, Rahul Shewale, standing committee chairman, said that the proposals have been submitted but are under consideration. Civic officials from finance department are unanimous about the fact that the proposal can be heeded. “Out of Rs 100crore, Rs74 crore has been earmarked for the corporators' funds that will be given to the ward committees. It is then up to the ward committees to decide on it,” said Ram Dhas, chief accountant (finance) of BMC. Another official from the finance department said, “If the ward committees approve it, then the funds can be allocated as they have already been earmarked for it in budget.”