02 February,2024 04:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
File photo for representation
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has revealed its comprehensive budget for the financial year 2024-25, amounting to a substantial Rs 59,954 crore. The BMC budget 2024 presentation was led by the Municipal Commissioner and IAS officer Iqbal Singh Chahal, emphasising key areas such as women's empowerment, healthcare, basic amenities, cleanliness, and pollution control.
The five things in the budget that are likely to impact Mumbaikars are explained below:
1) Educational initiatives:
Budget overview: The BMC's commitment to education is reflected in its budget allocation for the fiscal year 2024-25. With a total plan outlay of Rs 3497.82 crore, the budget focuses on providing quality education in primary and secondary schools. The budget places a significant emphasis on education, indicating potential improvements in the quality of education across primary and secondary schools.
Infrastructure enhancement: Significant investments are directed towards the repair, up-gradation, and reconstruction of 479 school buildings, with a budget provision of Rs 266.77 crore. Additionally, the allocation of Rs 7 crore for primary schools and Rs 2 crore for secondary schools is designated for the up-gradation of 224 computer labs.
Welfare schemes & projects: The BMC continues its support for educational welfare schemes, including the free distribution of scholastic materials (Rs 130 crore for primary and Rs 32 crore for secondary schools), maintenance of water purifiers (Rs 1.54 crore), and attendance allowance for girls (Rs 7.53 crore for primary and Rs 42 lakh for secondary schools).
New projects and schemes: The BMC introduces new initiatives for the upcoming fiscal year, such as the pilot initiative for organic farming in collaboration with the District Planning Committee, provision of Modern School Dictionaries with an allocation of Rs 3.52 crore, establishment of open gymnasiums in 200 schools, and financial assistance schemes for meritorious students.
Grants from state government: The budget includes provisions for grants from the state government, expecting Rs 506.73 crore for primary education and Rs 203.37 crore for secondary education.
2) Revamping estate department: Proposals for revenue generation
The budget suggests reforms in the Estate Department of BMC, indicating changes in the management and utilisation of properties.
The BMC is set to implement significant reforms in its Estate Department to optimise revenue from leasehold and tenanted properties. As part of this initiative, the BMC has proposed to engage the services of a globally recognized Real Estate Consultant with expertise in the field. The consultant's role will be to provide guidance and implement a strategic roadmap to generate an annual revenue of Rs 10,000 crore from BMC's leasehold and tenanted properties.
Additionally, the BMC plans to invite bids on a ward-wise and zone-wise basis for the development of Municipal Tenanted Properties. This approach involves the redevelopment of clusters of buildings and plots within the same ward. The redevelopment process may include proposing the rehabilitation or sale of entire clusters, with the possibility of one or more plots becoming vacant.
To explore the financial potential of the vacated plots, BMC intends to consider various options, including the auctioning of these plots.
IN PHOTOS: BMC presents Rs 59,954 crore Budget 2024 for Mumbai
3) Ease of travel: Integrated transportation
Infrastructure projects like the Coastal Road and Dahisar-Bhayander Link Road aim to enhance connectivity, potentially impacting the ease of travel for Mumbaikars.
The BMC is gearing up for a transformative project that envisions the development of an integrated transportation and commercial hub at the Octroi Naka sites in Dahisar and Mankhurd under its jurisdiction. The primary objective of this proposal is to establish a comprehensive bus terminus that seamlessly integrates with various transportation modes within the city, including BEST buses, Metro services, and para-transit systems.
The aim is to redirect intercity and interstate buses to terminate at the city's entry points, specifically Dahisar and Mankhurd, to alleviate traffic congestion in Mumbai. To substantiate this initiative, a thorough traffic survey has been conducted at all five toll nakas to determine the daily influx and outflux of buses entering Mumbai, BMC commissioner said in his budget speech.
The BMC has decided to self-finance these projects. In addition to the transportation hub, the proposal includes plans to maximize the plot's potential by incorporating compatible developments such as commercial and office spaces, retail outlets, a transit hotel, convention centre, exhibition centre, among others.
4) Enhanced healthcare services:
The substantial allocation for healthcare initiatives, including hospital infrastructure development, indicates a focus on improving healthcare facilities for residents.
The commissioner in his budget speech said that the BMC is committed to providing healthcare services to all patients at discounted rates.
However, recognizing the need for improvement, he said the BMC acknowledges that patients currently have to purchase non-scheduled medicines, as well as modern forms of medicines and implants from external sources.
The BMC is set to implement the 'Chief Minister's Zero Prescription Policy.' Several study groups have been established to facilitate this policy, and they have collectively decided to incorporate all necessary medicines into the official medicine schedule. This initiative aims to make essential medicines available directly from the hospital, while excluding non-essential ones.
Furthermore, as part of this comprehensive healthcare strategy, the BMC will circulate a rate circular for items procured through Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, Ayushyaman Bharat Arogya Yojana, and the Poor Box Charity Fund (PBCF). The proposed budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 includes a provision of Rs 500 crore to support and enhance these healthcare initiatives.
5) Comprehensive information technology initiatives:
In the upcoming fiscal year 2024-25, the BMC is gearing up to implement a range of Information Technology initiatives aimed at maximizing benefits in resource allocation, public services, sustainability, data-driven governance, safety, mobility solutions, and overall quality of life.
The key initiatives include:
Implementation of open-source software:
BMC plans to incorporate open-source software to enhance its operational efficiency and streamline processes.
Upyog platform for municipal service delivery:
The introduction of the Upyog Platform is set to elevate municipal service delivery, ensuring more efficient and accessible services for the public.
SAP S/4 HANA system and support services:
BMC aims to implement the SAP S/4 HANA System to bolster its system capabilities and provide robust support services.
Geographical Information System (GIS) using satellite images:
Leveraging satellite images, BMC is set to implement a Geographical Information System to enhance spatial data management.
AI initiatives:
BMC is venturing into Artificial Intelligence (AI) initiatives such as Video Analytics, AI Coaching, and Chatbots to contribute to the development of a smarter Mumbai.
Aadhaar services and Digi locker integration:
Integration of Aadhaar Services and Digilocker is on the agenda to streamline identification processes and improve document management.
Adoption of information systems by the Government of India:
BMC plans to adopt information systems made available by the Government of India to align with national-level initiatives.
MyBMC building ID:
Introducing the MyBMC Building ID project, BMC aims to integrate additional information from various departments, offering building-related information through a single click. This feature will be accessible to both BMC employees and citizens.
Internet of Things (IoT) implementation:
BMC is exploring the implementation of Internet of Things (IoT) for various civic services, including Smart Bins, Manholes Monitoring, Smart Lights, and Water Meter. This move is anticipated to enhance citizen services and contribute to the development of a smarter and more connected city.
