Discrimination in distribution of development funds to BMC corporators in Mumbai, alleges Opposition

Mumbai: The allocation of development funds has triggered a controversy, with the opposition members alleging discrimination in the distribution of funds by the ruling dispensation — BJP-Shiv Sena. The BMC had set aside Rs 800 crore for the standing committee towards development fund ahead of the final civic budget approval. Opposition alleged that BJP and Shiv Sena corporators were allocated over Rs 2 crore each, in addition to the Rs 1.6 crore earmarked for development works in each of the corporator wards, while those from Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress received Rs 25 lakh each. "The ruling dispensation has allocated a fund of Rs 2 crore each even to SP and AIMIM corporators," said Ashraf Azmi, Congress group leader in the BMC. "You are allocating Rs 2-3 crore for each corporator of the ruling combine, but Congress corporators have been given Rs 25 lakh each. This is injustice. The opposition combine, including MNS, comprises 95 corporators, which is almost half of the public representatives in the BMC house."Prabhakar Shinde, standing committee chairperson, said: "The funds have been allocated based on the letters demanding development funds made by the corporators."BJP leader of the BMC house Ganesh Khankar was allotted Rs 20 crore, Shiv Sena group leader Amey Ghole Rs 10 crore, while Shiv Sena (UBT) group leader Kishori Pednekar and Azmi got Rs 2 crore each. AIMIM standing committee member Zameer Querishi said party corporators have received an allocation of Rs 2 crore each. However, AIMIM group leader Vijay Ubale said that his ward was missing from the list for allocation of funds. NCP corporator Ajit Raorane said he would receive Rs 2 crore for development works.