Mumbai: In a year when the BMC election is likely, municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani‘s first budget on Tuesday was a tight balancing act with no political stamp of any ruling party.
Moving away from the trend of doling out freebies and schemes and pushing pet projects of netas, Gagrani did not mention the name of any politician at all.
He thanked chief minister Devendra Fadnavis or deputy chief ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar only once at the end of his budget speech.
Gagrani proposed property tax on commercial slum units and solid waste management (SWM) user charges, not giving in to potential political opposition. Gagrani firmly put forth the importance of “fiscal responsibility and prudence” in the BMC’s finances.
“As we embark on this journey of shaping the future of our beloved city, it is essential that we do so with a sense of fiscal responsibility and prudence. In this budget, fiscal discipline is not just a guiding principle but the core value that will define how we allocate and utilise the financial resources entrusted to us by the citizens of Mumbai,” Gagrani said.
Political observers said Gagrani gave out critical information on the BMC’s committed liabilities of Rs 2.32 lakh crore and also made public that only 26% of cement concrete road works started in 2023 were complete. The cement-concretisation of roads had been announced by former chief minister and current deputy chief minister Shinde as a remedy for making the city pothole-free in two years.
While some key schemes like the Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Aapla Dawakhana will be taken forward, no big-ticket announcements, ussually expected in an election year, were made.
“It was a very balanced and candid budget that actually acts as a reality check for the BMC and the city at large on the financial position. It also gives a sense that mindless spending will no longer be possible and even the ruling class will have to set its priorities right. The massive spending spree has been cut down, which was the need of the hour. It also shows that the CM has given Gagrani a free hand,” a political observer said.
Gagrani said it was now essential for the BMC to proactively initiate the process of restructuring its financial resources and explore new avenues for income.
“Ensuring financial stability without compromising on the city’s development is our foremost priority, so that sufficient funds will be available in the future for development works. In accordance with prevailing provisions, the sources of revenue income of BMC have reached their peak, which necessitates immediate steps to generate additional revenue from existing sources and to identify innovative sources of additional revenue. Accordingly, as a part of a long-term strategy, it is highly essential to increase contributions to various funds by enhancing BMC’s revenue by reviewing and revising various fees and charges levied by various departments,” Gagrani said.
He said financial plans were being designed carefully to address immediate challenges while laying the groundwork for long-term growth and sustainability.
“I take this opportunity to extend my sincere gratitude to chief minister, deputy chief ministers, and the state govt for their invaluable guidance and support. I am confident that the state govt will continue their support to empower BMC in delivering its objectives,” Gagrani said.
Mumbai: In a year when the BMC election is likely, municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani’s first budget on Tuesday was a tight balancing act with no political stamp of any ruling party.
Moving away from the trend of doling out freebies and schemes and pushing pet projects of netas, Gagrani did not mention the name of any politician at all.
He thanked chief minister Devendra Fadnavis or deputy chief ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar only once at the end of his budget speech.
Gagrani proposed property tax on commercial slum units and solid waste management (SWM) user charges, not giving in to potential political opposition. Gagrani firmly put forth the importance of “fiscal responsibility and prudence” in the BMC’s finances.
“As we embark on this journey of shaping the future of our beloved city, it is essential that we do so with a sense of fiscal responsibility and prudence. In this budget, fiscal discipline is not just a guiding principle but the core value that will define how we allocate and utilise the financial resources entrusted to us by the citizens of Mumbai,” Gagrani said.
Political observers said Gagrani gave out critical information on the BMC’s committed liabilities of Rs 2.32 lakh crore and also made public that only 26% of cement concrete road works started in 2023 were complete. The cement-concretisation of roads had been announced by former chief minister and current deputy chief minister Shinde as a remedy for making the city pothole-free in two years.
While some key schemes like the Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Aapla Dawakhana will be taken forward, no big-ticket announcements, ussually expected in an election year, were made.
“It was a very balanced and candid budget that actually acts as a reality check for the BMC and the city at large on the financial position. It also gives a sense that mindless spending will no longer be possible and even the ruling class will have to set its priorities right. The massive spending spree has been cut down, which was the need of the hour. It also shows that the CM has given Gagrani a free hand,” a political observer said.
Gagrani said it was now essential for the BMC to proactively initiate the process of restructuring its financial resources and explore new avenues for income.
“Ensuring financial stability without compromising on the city’s development is our foremost priority, so that sufficient funds will be available in the future for development works. In accordance with prevailing provisions, the sources of revenue income of BMC have reached their peak, which necessitates immediate steps to generate additional revenue from existing sources and to identify innovative sources of additional revenue. Accordingly, as a part of a long-term strategy, it is highly essential to increase contributions to various funds by enhancing BMC’s revenue by reviewing and revising various fees and charges levied by various departments,” Gagrani said.
He said financial plans were being designed carefully to address immediate challenges while laying the groundwork for long-term growth and sustainability.
“I take this opportunity to extend my sincere gratitude to chief minister, deputy chief ministers, and the state govt for their invaluable guidance and support. I am confident that the state govt will continue their support to empower BMC in delivering its objectives,” Gagrani said.
