Opposition party in the Shiv Sena-ruled municipal corporation says next week’s budget will be nothing but a manipulation of numbers
BJP says the civic body has not cut back on expenses despite a steep decline in revenue
Ahead of the BMC budget next week, the BJP sought to punch holes in it, saying it would be simply a manipulation of numbers. The opposition party in the civic corporation based its criticism on the grounds that despite a plunge in earnings this time, the administration hasn't cut back on spending. The BMC is heading for bankruptcy, it said. BJP leaders said the civic body is doling out concessions like discounts on premiums to developers, and to advertisers, ignoring the common man who is still reeling under the burden of taxes.
ADVERTISEMENT
Against its expected revenue of Rs 28,448 crore, the BMC has managed to earn R11,616 crore till December 2020, with its finances disarrayed by the COVID pandemic. The BJP said that the BMC has no plans in place to ensure the full recovery of property tax, while it has slashed the rates on licence fees that further throttled its earnings. The party also alleged that the civic body has been cooking up numbers to show surplus in its accounts amid a cash crunch.
Prabhakar Shinde, group leader of BJP, said, “They will take money from the reserves thus reducing those numbers and try to hide the actual financial situation which is very grim.” Bhalchandra Shirsat, another party leader, added, “The BMC is heading towards bankruptcy if they don’t take important measures to control the expenditure and increase the revenue.”
Rs 11,616
BMC’s revenue till Dec this financial year
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
