Where are the promised amenities?

The corporation’s budget was announced on Wednesday. While it neglected developmental work, bulk of additional spending will now go to ensure hikes for employees. DNA ascertains the public mood.

Expert view
Involve civil society in the budget exercise 
The first problem plaguing the department is corruption. Even if officials get a good pay packet, there is no guarantee that corruption will be reduced. Due to corruption, collection of revenue has been hit. Funds haven’t reached the BMC’s kitty. In such a situation, if the civic corporation increases Octroi, then corruption will also increase. Stiff taxes mean a high level of corruption and turpitude. For example, instead of Rs100, if people have to pay Rs200, then it is a common trend that people want an alternative to escape taxes. So they shell out a bribe of Rs50 or Rs100 to the officials. In this way, corruption increases and proportionately revenue decreases. The BMC commissioner Swadhin Kshatriya has indirectly admitted to the fact, when he said that computerisation will reduce corruption, since manual contact with civic corporation officials will be minimised. So the BMC should focus on reducing corruption and bribery. Moreover the tax structure should be rationalised. The BMC must seek participation of civil society in the formulation and preparation of the budget. Citizens, NGOs and activists should be included in the budget process. Over the last few years, people have begun to understand and follow each and every initiative of the civic corporation and the trends prevailing in the system. Above all the enforcement of any rules or plans must be done strictly, otherwise even with best plans will come to naught. Lastly I would like to say that I’m expressing the views which citizens of Mumbai have suggested.
    —Vinay Somani, trustee, Karmayog.org

BMC is aware that situation isn’t good
There is no doubt that the Sixth Pay Commission has burnt a hole in the civic administration’s finances. A majority of funds will go into paying employees’ salaries. The pay commission’s recommendations have come at a time when the administration’s financial condition is not so strong. So in a situation like this, when the corporation has to cut expenditure new projects are the casualties. This is not the time to criticise anyone, that is because, if they have compromised with spending and allocating funds because it is the need of the hour. I’m not happy with the BMC’s financial situation. Even the present commissioner has expressed some unhappiness. But when our city is moving ahead towards making world class facilities, the BMC should have a strong financial base. Now, BMC need to look ahead for generating more funds. So when there isn’t an increase in direct taxes, then rise in octroi and property taxes are justified.
—Sharad Kale, former municipal commissioner

City’s beautification cannot be ignored
I’m disappointment with the budget. It has become a way of life in India that basic necessities are ignored by the authorities. The civic body needs to focus on infrastructure, public amenities and beautification of the city. If we want the city to grow and look beautiful then such issues cannot be ignored.  As for huge salary component, if the increase in the budget trickles down to the lowest level of BMC employees, then the move might be justified, but if only the top brass is benefiting, it isn’t fair.    
—Shruti Zota, Kemps Corner

Richest corporation giving shoddy service
The BMC’s budget is appaling. How can they ignore basic amenities to adjust the pay hike for their staff into the budget component? Not all members of the corporation deserve a raise. We have the richest civic body in the country but poor level of service. The city needs development - roads, footpaths and gardens. They need to focus on maintaining and augmenting water supply system. Many old pipes need to be restored, otherwise we will have pipeline being ruptured and wastage of water. Also, the drainage system needs to be readied for the upcoming monsoon. In my locality, the BMC needs to focus on overflowing manholes causing a dirty stench. This in turn leads to breeding of mosquitoes and spreading of diseases.   
—Heer Kothari, Napeansea Road

May be footpaths aren’t important for them
Recently some civic activists involved in protecting open spaces in the city and state were targeted by anti-social elements. Now the civic budget that affects each of us has not given priority to this issue. Citizens continue to grapple with rising prices of basic commodities and water scarcity, the richest civic body focuses on increasing the salary component. It seems only activists and NGOs are interested in working for betterment of the environment and issues concerning the ecological aspects. The construction of skywalks is laudable, but it has to be backed by creation of adequate road infrastructure like footpaths. There are several activists fighting against the encroachment of footpaths as well, but nothing has been done in the aspect as well.    
—Antara Telore, Bhayandar

All BMC officials don’t deserve a raise
At Rs20,471 crore, the budget is huge. This money is required for the maintenance of roads, replacement of pipes and solving the problem of water leakage. Gutters are chocked in many areas, they need to be looked at especially during the monsoon to prevent water logging. This causes water from the drains to come out on the roads causing traffic snarls and other problems such as foul smell and spread of diseases. Condition of the city will deteriorate, if the civic body ignores its plight and doesn’t allot any budget for maintenance. Water shortage is one of major problems faced by city and needs attention but it doesn’t mean other issues can be ignored. I don’t think all officials deserve a raise. Poor quality of work done by them doesn’t justify it.
—Yash Sethna, Tardeo

Administration has got warped priorities
The BMC budget for 2010-2011 presents a rather gloomy picture with no new projects. While no new taxes are envisaged, it’s disappointing to know that budgets for upgrading recreation grounds, playgrounds and theme gardens have been slashed by 75%. The thrust seems to be more on development of roads, which isn’t a bad idea, but a pedestrian’s woes have been overlooked. All this pruning is aimed basically to fund the revision of payscales of municipal employees. Gardens and greenery are essential for protection of the environment, which has been sadly overlooked. Moreover, whatever playgrounds are left, they have been invariably used by political parties for rallies. Amenities which are used by millions are ignored.
—Deepak Agharkar, Dadar