?BMC council has right to amend budget proposals?
THE DISPUTE over changes in the Bhopal Municipal Corporation budget amendments may further deepen with BMC chairman Ramdayal Prajapati hitting back today at Mayor Sunil Sood for the allegations he made at the budget discussion meeting. The Mayor at the meeting said the amendments were violation of certain sections of the Municipal Corporation Act and adverse to the BMC?s economy.
THE DISPUTE over changes in the Bhopal Municipal Corporation budget amendments may further deepen with BMC chairman Ramdayal Prajapati hitting back today at Mayor Sunil Sood for the allegations he made at the budget discussion meeting. The Mayor at the meeting said the amendments were violation of certain sections of the Municipal Corporation Act and adverse to the BMC’s economy.
Addressing a press conference, Prajapati today said that under the Section 88 of the Municipal Corporation Act 1956, the BMC general council has right to amend the budget proposals it received from the Mayor-in-Council.
The BMC council, having majority of Bharatiya Janata Party members, had approved the budget for 2006-07 after making 14 amendments on Saturday last.
Prajapati also said that the BMC council had not made any changes in the budget so that its deficit would increase. Under Section 97 of the Municipal Corporation Act, there is prohibition of making amendments, which increase the deficit.
The BMC council had reduced the expenditure of Rs one crore from the funds allotted for diesel and Rs 80 lakh from the computerisation fund besides some other amendments. These are the necessary expenditure. This curtailed fund was allotted to BMC chairman, aldermen (appointed corporators) and corporators through amendments.
When asked, Prajapati could not define how the budget deficit would not increase after making these amendments. He only said that fresh funds allocation were made only after introducing curtailments.
Prajpati also justified the allotment of funds to the aldermen and BMC chairman. He compared the aldermen with the Rajya Sabha members, who are also given the funds for the development. However, he could not answer that most of the Rajya Sabha members are the elected members from state assemblies.
In answer to most questions, the BMC chairman said that funds allocated to him, aldermen or the corporators would be used for the development. BMC chairman was allocated Rs 66 lakh, which is equal to the Mayor’s discretionary fund.
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