One planning body: Many views in MVA

Faisal Malik and Naresh Kamath

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government is facing a fresh round of differences over making the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) a single planning authority for Mumbai. The Shiv Sena, which is ruling the civic body, supported the idea saying it would help in the development of the city. However, its partners —the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress — opposed it. They are of the view that it would create issues among various government agencies and could hamper city’s development. They also suspect the Sena wants to take complete control of the city through the move.

While presenting budget for 2021-22, civic chief Iqbal Singh Chahal said they wanted BMC to be made a single planning authority for the city and a proposal has been sent to the state.

Mumbai has multiple planning authorities such as Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority, Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation, Slum Rehabilitation Authority and Mumbai Port Trust.

“It appears that the Sena wants to take complete control of the city by giving all the powers to BMC, but it would create a mess in the city if anything of this sort happens. The problem is how the municipal commissioner can take such a decision of mentioning it in the budget book without any political deliberations. It is a coalition government and any policy decision must be deliberated among the ruling partners beforehand,” said a senior NCP minister, requesting anonymity.

He said, “Going by the argument pushed by the Sena, why does the state need other ministers when all decisions have to be approved only by the chief minister as the head of the government... The argument of gap in coordination makes no sense.”

State transport minister and senior Sena leader Anil Parab said they are of the same view as BMC, as it would be in the interest of the city. “There should be only one planning authority for the city and it is our (Sena) stand. There are 16 different authorities in the city at present, some are related to the state government while others are associated with the Centre; hence lack of coordination creates hurdles in city’s development works,” Parab said.

He also clarified that no decision has been taken yet. “We will take a decision only after deliberating it with allies,” Parab said.

Housing minister and NCP leader Jitendra Awhad opposed the move on Friday saying, “It was morally wrong on the part of the municipal commissioner to make such a demand without any political deliberations.”

Deputy chief minister and senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar was cautious while making a comment. “The president of the party (Sena), which is leading the corporation, is also the chief minister. Every decision has to be approved by him. Can Chahal say anything without his approval?” Pawar said in Pune.

Congress chief Bhai Jagtap said, “The Congress is opposed to making BMC the single planning authority. Other agencies have contributed to the development of the city and their rights should not be taken away...We will not let this happen.”