After yesterday's heavy downpour, Mayor Shubha Raul appeared on television and declared a holiday for schools and colleges. This has not gone down well with the BMC, because the rulebook states that the Mayor is not authorised to do so. "The Mayor cannot declare any holidays for schools or colleges, as there are respective authorities to do so," said a BMC official.

According to the rules, only the municipal education officer, the deputy education officer from the state education department or the principals have the authority to decide when the schools, colleges or any other education institute needs to be closed.

Even the Municipal Commissioner, Jairaj Phatak, sounded displeased with the Mayor's behaviour. He said, "The Mayor declared a holiday which was not needed. Schools open by 9 am and by then, the water had already started receding." He added, "Such announcements create panic and parents as well as students do not step out of their houses."

A BMC officer added that no action would be taken against the mayor.