Although the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has tabled the budget for the financial year 2019-20 in a gold platter, works on the proposed projects are unlikely to begin anytime soon. Reasons being the LS election due in April and May, and the election code of conduct that is likely to come into force from March.

Civic chief Ajoy Mehta tabled Rs 30,692 crore surplus budget for a number of infrastructure works. The budget will be implemented from April 2019. But by then, the election code of conduct will come into effect.

According to officials from the BMC's municipal secretary (MS) department, the budget will be discussed in the standing committee meet this month.

"The changes that result out of the meeting will be sent to the BMC," a department official said.

March 1 has been fixed for the special general body meet to table the budget. "The general body will discuss the proposed budget and the changes made during the standing committee," the official said. However, he said the process will take time. "If the election date is declared at the end of February or during March, the whole process will be stopped," the official said. The whole election process will end by June or July first week.

Ravi Raja, Congress corporator and leader of opposition in BMC said that the civic administration can not start new work. "The civic chief has power to use the fund four months," said Raja. However, the administration cannot start new work, proposed in budget.

According to MS department, there is a provision under which the civic administration can implement the budget. "Under section 129A of MMC Act, there is a provision that allows civic chief to take up work proposed budget," said the official. But, even in that condition, only old works can be continued due to election code of conduct.

Even after the parliament election concludes in June or July, the civic body has to approve the budget without wasting time as the state election will be due by August -September.