Mumbai Corporators Seek Hike in Annual Ward Development Fund from Rs 60 Lakh to Rs 1 Crore
Mumbai corporators across party lines are pushing for a 67 per cent increase in their annual ward development fund, demanding a hike from Rs 60 lakh to Rs 1 crore per corporator to tackle rising civic costs across the city.
A notice of motion moved by Bharatiya Janata Party corporator Ashwini Mate is scheduled to come up for approval during the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's next general body meeting. The proposal seeks to raise the annual discretionary fund to help corporators address essential ward-level civic works, including road repairs, sanitation, public toilet maintenance, and garden upkeep.
Mate cited Mumbai's growing population, escalating civic expenditure, and inflation as key reasons for the demand. The proposal highlighted that steep increases in labour and material costs have made it difficult to carry out necessary ward development tasks within the current Rs 60-lakh cap.
The proposal has received support from opposition parties as well. Sachin Padwal, senior corporator from Shiv Sena (UBT), stated that the existing financial allocation is grossly inadequate. Padwal pointed out that deductions, including 18 per cent GST and 14 per cent in civic charges, significantly reduce the available funds before work even begins. He noted that the BMC's schedule of rates has risen substantially over the last nine years, increasing overall project expenses.
Ashraf Azmi, Congress group leader, also supported the proposed increase. Azmi noted that for opposition representatives, the corporator fund is the only available source for carrying out essential local civic works. He said adding Rs 40 lakh as a committed budgetary provision for each of the 227 corporators would ensure steady funding that cannot be arbitrarily withdrawn.
The corporator fund was previously raised from Rs 35 lakh to Rs 60 lakh in 2011. Corporators noted that the allocation has not been revised since, despite steady inflation. Once approved by the BMC House, the notice of motion will be forwarded to the Municipal Commissioner for consideration.
