Nashik: Corporators, cutting across party lines, on Wednesday demanded that Nashik Municipal Corporation release a white paper detailing its financial status, revenue generation and expenditure on development works carried out during the nearly four-year administrator rule from March 2022 to Jan 2026.
The demand was raised during Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC)'s General Body meeting held on Wednesday. Responding, mayor Himgauri Aher said, "I have instructed the civic administration to submit a white paper on the financial condition of the civic body, details of funds spent on development works, and revenue generated over the last four years of administrator rule."
The mayor also told civic officials to prepare an elaborate presentation on the Kumbh Mela-related projects and present it before corporators during the next GB meeting.
Earlier, Ajay Boraste, group leader of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in the municipal corporation, said he had submitted a letter to the municipal commissioner last month, urging the civic body to publish a white paper on the administrator rule. "Since the elected body's term ended, all major municipal powers, including those of the GB and the standing committee, were exercised by the commissioner as administrator.
Residents and elected representatives have repeatedly raised questions about financial decisions, development expenditure, Kumbh Mela preparations and pending projects during this period. They have sought clarity on income, spending, liabilities, establishment costs, ward-level development funds and future financial planning," Boraste said.
"A transparent white paper will help rebuild public trust, dispel doubts and ensure smoother coordination between the newly elected body and the administration," he added.
BJP corporator Dinkar Patil supported the demand, saying, "We want the civic administration to present complete financial details of the last four years of administrative rule."
Corporators Gurumit Bagga, Sudhakar Badgujar, Shailesh Dhage, among others, also reiterated the call for a detailed white paper on the civic body's financial condition and the transactions carried out during the administrator rule.