Ex-corporators request that the BMC Chief seek input before the budget

In a joint letter to BMC Commissioner Dr. Iqbal Singh Chahal, the Congress, NCP, and Samajwadi Party (SP) have asked him to consult previous corporators, NGOs, and the general public before preparing the fiscal budget for 2023–24. The BMC is now being governed by the Civic Commissioner in his capacity as administrator because all corporators' terms expired on March 8, 2022. Since the BMC election has not yet taken place, the administrator will deliver the civic body's financial budget this year. The BMC budget is more than a small state's budget in India by more than Rs 40,000 crore. Therefore, the administrator should consider proposals from public officials, NGOs, ALMs, and former corporate officials, the letter said.

 

Additionally, the letter recommended that the BMC establish a web portal on the MCGM website and solicit feedback from previous corporators and public representatives there. The financial budget should then be posted for public viewing on the MCGM website. After 36 years, the BMC administrator will deliver the annual budget. This time, there won't be any elected officials (corporators) present on budget day.

 

In 1984 and 1985, the administrator had previously provided the budget. Sources claim that the financial budget for BMC will likely be given on February 3 in accordance with the requirements of the MMC Act, 1887, which stipulates that the budget must be provided every year during the first week of February. The BMC commissioner typically reads key passages before presenting the budget book to the standing committee. However, likely, he will merely hand out the budget book this year.