BMC spent only 0.4 per cent of funds allotted for amenities and infra

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporations BMC Development Plan DP for the city seems nowhere near developing On the one hand the civic body has spent onethird of its project funding R1836 crore on BEST On the other of the R1198 crore set aside for implementation of the DP it has only used R5 crore merely 04 per cent on projects from the planThe DP needs the acquisition of land for various infra projects and amenities like roads schools hospitals gardens etc for the development of the city It appears that keeping the BEST on the road or focusing on it is derailing other projects in the DPLand acquisition waitsThe capital expenditure statistics for the past nine months of the financial year 201920 show some interesting facts The average spending percentage till December end remains between 30 and 35 per cent every year This year the expenditure increased to 51 per cent not because of the completion of projects but due to funds given to the BEST While the BEST got R1836crore the land acquisition projects took a back seat because of thisThe BEST had reduced its fares in 2019 File picThe spending on the transport wing is really high as it means 31 per cent of the BMCs overall capital expensesProperty tax development charges compensation of octroi water and sewerage tax are the main sources of revenue for the BMC Due to the slowdown in real estate the civic body is facing issues on meeting the income target through property tax and development charges midday had reported that despite this it spent almost onethird of its overall capital funding on the BEST in BMC spent 13rd of its expenses on the BEST midday January 20Former municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta had said in his budget speech of 201920 that the DP is an important document from the point of view of creating assets and improving the quality of life which needs budgetary supportHe said In order to reduce financial strain on the budget we have introduced a very attractive accommodation reservation policy in the Development Control and Promotion Regulation DCPR 2034Why the low expenditureBut after nine months of the financial year only R5 crore were spent from R1198crore allocated till December which is merely 04 per centA senior officer with the Development Plan department told midday that there are multiple reasons behind the low expenditureHe said While earlier the fund was reserved to buy the lands later it was decided to acquire those lands with TDR transfer of development rights and not buy them Even as per the new decision only the plots needed for essential work like construction of roads laying water pipelines etc will be acquired and plots for optional duties like open spaces are not under acquisition processHe added that the process of land acquisition was tedious and was not completed within a year as it also involved various government agenciesThe commissioner has intentionally stopped the acquisition of open spaces in the name of the new policy Opposition parties will ask for a white paper on it I am very worried about the financial situation of the corporation said Rais Shaikh MLA and group leader of the Samajwadi Party in BMCBMC insensitive towards cityAjoy Mehta mentioned the importance of the implementation of the DP and set aside R2000 crore for it When the new commissioner arrived the vision changed Only R5 crore spent on the DP shows the insensitivity of the BMC administration towards the city said Ravi Raja leader of the opposition in the BMC who earlier had said that the BMC administration does not have its priorities clearRs 1198 croreCapital funding allotted for DPRs 499 croreActual spending till Dec 2019Rs 11480 croreAllocation of total capital expenditureRs 5865 croreActual spending till December from all departmentsCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates