Increase ward developmental fund allocation to Rs 1 crore, demands Sena corporator

THANE: Shiv Sena corporator Anita Gauri on Monday made an aggressive pitch for increasing the allocation of the annual ward developmental funds to Rs one crore from the present Rs 50 lakh.
Citing the TMC’s healthy revenue projections in the next fiscal, the three-time corporator from Kharegaon and former leader of house, Gauri conveyed her stand during a discussion on the Rs 3,695 crore city budget presented by municipal commissioner Sanjeev Jaiswal last month.

Claiming the current development funds allocation to the corporators as inadequate, Gauri demanded a 100 per cent raise during a discussion in the special general body meeting.

“The corporation is likely to earn Rs 3,600 crore in the current financial year. Allocating Rs 1 crore each to the 133 corporators will not dent the development works, as TMC would still be left with nearly Rs 3,500 crore for undertaking works. The current allocation is insufficient and it is not feasible to run behind the administration to take up works in the wards,” explained Gauri.

During the budget discussion, corporators across parties came up with their list of demands.

NCP corporator Siraj Dongare suggested developing a TMT depot at Mumbra or Diva which could save time for buses.

A fellow corporator from Mumbra reminded the administration of some vital projects like platforms, schools, Shai dams that found no mention in the current budget.

Sena corporator Radhika Phatak who represents ward number 7 said the administration stressed on the need for fire brigade facility at Vartak Nagar.

Sena corporator Purvesh Sarnaik complimented the administration for its rent-a-cycle facility adding that the facility should be started in Kalwa, Lokmanya Nagar, Wagle estate and Mumbra.

He also spoke of the lack of pet crematoriums in the city and suggested the deployment of sanitary pad disposal units in Thane. Mumbra corporator Jafar Nomani also urged for the need to set up rehabilitation centres across the city.

The youngest corporator in the TMC House Siddharth Ovalekar from Owala ward suggested the PWD allocate funds for constructing subways at Anand Nagar and Kasarwadavli .

The suggestions and demands made by Gauri will be taken up for discussions in the general body meeting that will be held on Tuesday.