PM’s austerity call turns heat on NMC’s Rs 1cr vehicle fuel bill

Nagpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to citizens to adopt austerity measures amid growing geopolitical tensions has triggered sharp political backlash in Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), with Opposition corporators demanding the BJP-led civic body immediately curb what they termed as "wasteful expenditure" on official vehicles and fuel.The controversy erupted after the Prime Minister urged citizens to conserve fuel, avoid unnecessary travel, opt for carpooling and minimise avoidable expenditure in view of the global economic uncertainty arising out of West Asia conflict. Opposition leaders said Modi's remarks have now put the spotlight on NMC's own spending pattern.BJP, which returned to power in the civic body after four years of administrator rule, recently approved a fleet of new official vehicles for office-bearers. Besides, the 11 committee chairpersons, all 10 zonal sabhapatis were allotted vehicles, despite opposition corporators claiming there is no mandatory provision for such allocations. Civic sources said the expenditure on fuel, maintenance and operations of the expanded fleet is expected to cross Rs 1 crore annually.Sensing an opportunity after PM's austerity appeal, Opposition corporators intensified their attack on the ruling party, saying this was the right moment for BJP to demonstrate restraint.Congress corporator Wasim Khan said the ruling party should immediately review the decision. "The Prime Minister himself is asking citizens to save fuel and reduce expenses. This is the best opportunity for the BJP in NMC to stop wasteful expenditure and withdraw unnecessary vehicles given to office-bearers. Otherwise, it sends a contradictory message to taxpayers," Khan said.Congress corporator Shailesh Pandey alleged the civic body was prioritising luxury over governance. "Nagpur citizens are facing poor roads, water supply complaints and mounting civic issues. At such a time, spending more than Rs 1 crore every year on vehicles and fuel for politicians is unjustifiable. Public money should be used for development, not comfort," Pandey said.Interestingly, the issue has also sparked uncomfortable conversations within BJP circles. Senior BJP corporator and ruling party leader Narendra Borkar said a meeting of senior corporators, including Mayor Neeta Thakre and standing committee chairperson Shivani Dani Wakhare, has been planned this week to discuss austerity measures and fuel expenditure."If the Prime Minister has appealed for austerity and fuel conservation, then public representatives should also set an example before citizens," Borkar said, adding elected representatives should increasingly use public transport wherever possible.Meanwhile, austerity has suddenly become a subject of sarcasm within the civic headquarters. Shortly after Modi's advisory went viral on social media, some people reportedly joked with a BJP office-bearer, asking whether corporators would now do a carpool to save fuel, drawing laughter and highlighting the growing political discomfort.