BMC Ward Funds May Rise From 60 Lakh to 1 Crore

Corporators Seek More Funds for Ward-Level Civic Work

Highlights: Mumbai civic representatives across party lines are seeking a higher annual ward development fund, saying rising project costs and growing local needs require more financial support.

Mumbai corporators are calling for a 67% increase in the annual ward development fund, from the current ₹60 lakh to ₹1 crore per corporator. The proposal is aimed at helping elected representatives address growing civic requirements in their respective wards.

A notice of motion submitted by BJP corporator Ashwini Mate is expected to be considered at the upcoming general body meeting of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Corporators say the existing allocation has become difficult to use effectively as the cost of construction materials, labor and other civic work has increased significantly.

Rising Costs Put Pressure on Civic Projects

The proposed fund increase is expected to support essential works such as road repairs, sanitation improvements, public toilet maintenance, drainage repairs, garden upkeep and other neighborhood-level projects.

Mate said Mumbai's growing population, inflation and higher civic expenses have increased the financial requirements of individual wards. She also pointed to rising material and labor costs, which have made it harder to complete necessary works within the existing ₹60 lakh allocation.

The corporators believe increasing the fund would allow them to respond more quickly to local infrastructure and maintenance needs.

Shiv Sena UBT Corporator Supports ₹1 Crore Allocation

The proposal has received support from corporators across political parties. Senior Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator Sachin Padwal said the present allocation is not sufficient to address the needs of Mumbai's wards.

Padwal explained that corporators have access to different types of funds, with the ward development allocation intended for important civic works such as drainage repairs, toilet repairs, road concreting and other basic infrastructure improvements.

He also noted that GST and various BMC charges reduce the amount available for actual development work. At the same time, changes in the BMC's schedule of rates over the past several years have increased the cost of carrying out civic projects.

According to Padwal, raising the allocation to ₹1 crore would give corporators greater ability to address genuine public needs in their wards.

Congress Also Backs the Ward Fund Increase

Congress group leader Ashraf Azmi also supported the proposal. He said the existing allocation is particularly important for opposition corporators because it provides a key source of funding for civic works in their wards.

Azmi said the allocation for all 227 corporators remains inadequate and suggested adding another ₹40 lakh as a fixed budget provision. He believes this would provide greater financial certainty for ward-level development projects.

Fund Has Not Been Revised Since 2011

Corporators pointed out that the ward development fund was previously around ₹35 lakh before being increased to ₹60 lakh in 2011. The allocation has remained unchanged since then, despite higher construction costs, inflation and increasing demands for civic services.

If the notice of motion receives approval from the BMC House, it will be sent to the Municipal Commissioner for further consideration.

₹1 Crore Fund Could Boost Local Civic Development

The proposed increase is being presented as a measure to strengthen ward-level civic development rather than simply provide additional funds to elected representatives. Corporators across party lines say a higher allocation could help Mumbai's wards respond more efficiently to essential repair, maintenance and public infrastructure requirements.