The standing committee of the BMC, on Wednesday, withheld a proposal of forming a special inventory of funds for big-ticket projects.
In June, the BMC had decided to set up a special project fund, to ensure that all mega big-ticket development projects don’t face a financial crunch. As per the BMC estimates, fund worth Rs 7,884 crore was required for the construction of bridges, road repairs and reviving the city rivers. The BMC had said that in order to set up this fund, a preliminary amount of Rs 4000 crore will be included in the civic budget for the current financial year.
However, the project was opposed by members across all party lines, after leader of the House and senior Shiv Sena corporator Vishaka Raut issued a point of order. The standing committee chairperson, Yashwant Jadhav, had referred back the proposal, asking the BMC to reconsider it.
“Funds for the projects have already been allotted in the civic budget separately. The proposal of having another fund is not feasible as the civic body is facing a cash crunch,” said Jadhav.
Forming this special fund is part of the BMC’s long term economic policy that is aimed towards raising independent funds.
Meanwhile, members from the BJP said that the BMC should issue a white paper by providing full details of the proposal.
“The BMC is yet to give us details on how the contractors will be chosen and how the procedure of awarding contracts will be monitored if another special fund is formed. The proposal is flawed and a white paper on this needs to be presented,” said Vinod Mishra, senior BJP corporator and group leader of the party in the BMC.
The proposal was tabled for the first time in June. However, it was opposed by leader of opposition and senior Congress corporator Ravi Raja. Since then, it has been on hold. However, it was tabled again during the meeting on Wednesday for reconsideration.
