MLA raises eyebrows over `73 cr funds for corporators

Setting a precedent, MiraBhayandar civic body's Shiv Sena corporator Geeta Jain has raised objection over the allocation of Rs 73 crore to 95 corporators. The huge corpus has been given as discretionary development funds. These funds are apart from the annual ward development funds allocated to each corporator. According to rules, not more than two per cent of the civic body’s total revenue can be allocated for such funding.

Of the opinion that the money could be misused, Jain, who is also an MLA, sought the intervention of the state’s urban development department to immediately scrap the 'unjustified resolution' under the provisions of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act.

Jain further said that these funds can also be used for unplanned expenditure, which could hurt the financial interest of the municipality.

The highest discretionary development fund of Rs 4.5 crore has been allotted to mayor, while Rs 4 crore was earmarked for deputy mayor. The standing committee chairman got Rs 3.5 crore funds followed by leader of house and leader of opposition, with Rs 1.5 crore and Rs 1 crore, respectively. While activists have also expressed concerns similar to Jain, asserting that the BJP-ruled civic body is already facing paucity of funds.

Notably, the civic administration has already floated tenders for some of the works to be undertaken on the virtue of money from the discretionary development funds, sources said.

Development fund of Rs 4.5 crore allotted to mayor

Rs 4 crore to deputy mayor

Standing committee chairman Rs 3.5 crore

Leader of house Rs 1.5 crore

Leader of opposition Rs 1 crore