Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): A verbal clash broke out over the issue of beef allegedly found at the city slaughterhouse during the meeting of the Bhopal Municipal Corporation in Bhopal on Monday.
During the question hour, Leader of Opposition Shabista Zaki raised the matter of beef and the functioning of the slaughterhouse in Bhopal city.
Responding to the question, MIC member RK Singh Baghel gave a reply. During the discussion, a verbal clash also took place between the Mayor and the Leader of Opposition.
Senior BJP councillors Surendra Badika and Vilas Rao Ghadge also protested over the issue and demanded strict action against the officials responsible.
₹4K crore budget expected
Budget of estimated Rs 4K crore is likely to be presented in the ongoing council meeting. This budget of the Bhopal Municipal Corporation will include several proposals related to the infrastructure and development of the city.
Officials say the property tax or water tax will remain unchanged.
The council will discuss a proposal to develop over ten new parking facilities in the city. Out of these, some parking areas are planned under metro stations, where over 35 four-wheelers and 250 two-wheelers can be parked. The proposal was approved in the Mayor-in-Council meeting on March 16 and will now be placed before the council.
Incomplete projects
However, many promises made earlier by the civic body are still incomplete. Projects like the construction of seven heritage gates and the Geeta Bhavan building have been pending for the last two years.
So far, foundation ceremonies have been held for only two heritage gates on the Bhopal–Indore State Highway and Hoshangabad Road.
The opposition is planning to raise these incomplete projects, along with the beef issue, the new municipal building and recent Lokayukta action during the meeting.
The opposition is planning to raise these incomplete projects, along with the beef issue, the new municipal building and recent Lokayukta action during the meeting.
Last year, the civic body had presented a budget of about ₹3,611 crore.
Another issue likely to come up is the new building constructed on Link Road No. 2 for about ₹40 crore.
Adampur tender deferred, Commissioner to take call
Another major controversy erupted over the Adampur landfill tender. Notably, no councillor supported the proposal during the meeting. MiC member Ravindra Yati said the Mayor-in-Council had earlier decided not to approve the tender and to defer it to the council. He alleged that despite this, officials had incorrectly recorded the decision as MiC recommended , raising serious procedural concerns. Taking note, Suryavanshi authorised Commissioner Sanskriti Jain to take a final decision on the tender and ordered action against officials responsible for altering the decision.
Infrastructure push, old promises still unmet
Despite disruptions during the question-answer session, the council eventually passed the Rs 3,938.45 crore budget, the fourth consecutive budget presented by Mayor Malti Rai. While the budget focuses on infrastructure and development, several earlier promises remain unfulfilled, including the construction of seven heritage gates and Gita Bhawan. Only two heritage gates have seen groundwork so far, on the Bhopal-Indore State Highway and Hoshangabad Road.
Major financial restructuring
In a significant structural change, around 400 out of 1,200 fund heads, including those allocated to the Mayor, Chairman and MiC members, have been merged as part of financial simplification. Unlike previous budgets, no separate funds have been allocated to these officials this year. Earlier provisions included Rs 10 crore for the Mayor, Rs 5 crore for the Chairman and Rs 1 crore for MiC members.
Commissioner Sanskriti Jain said no new taxes have been introduced but confirmed a marginal increase in sewage charges. She added that fund heads, including the Mayor s head, have not been removed but merged as part of overall financial simplification.
Bogus budget : Opposition
Slamming the budget, Leader of Opposition Shabista Zaki termed it completely bogus , alleging that unspent funds from the previous year were carried forward and shown as an opening balance. She also accused the administration of manipulating the agenda by removing key wording approved in council resolutions. Action exists only on paper. Everyone is being shielded because it is our own government in power, she said.
Balanced budget: Chairman
Defending the budget, Chairman Kishan Suryavanshi said it presents a comprehensive roadmap for the city s development, with adequate provisions for pending sewerage, water supply and commercial sector projects.
