Rs 12 lakh to be spent on honouring 111 corporators today

Navi Mumbai: Nearly Rs 12 lakh of tax payers’ money is going to be spent by the civic administration on giving mementos to its 111 elected corporators, 5 co-opted members and the municipal commissioner during Monday’s general body meeting.
NMMC honours its corporators once in five years. This time, the expenditure has increased three times and a single mementowill cost the civic body Rs 10,206.In 2010, around 3.15 lakh was spent on the mementos.
This expenditure is being criticized by both citizens and corporators alike. “I fail to understand how can the civic body go about splurging tax payers’ money. What is the need for a memento when after winning elections each of the 111 corporators has been provided with a commemorative certificate from the election officer,” said Vishwarath Nayar, a resident.
Echoing Nayar’s anger, Shiv Sena corporator Kishor Patkar said, “This was absolutely not needed. The amount could have been utilised in providing better education to the children going to civic schools,” he said.
Another concern being raised is that no permission was taken from the House for this expense.
Additional municipal commissioner Ankush Chavan said the event was being held on the occassion of NMMC completing 25 years. “NMMC has turned 25 and therefore we are doing it on a large scale. What is the harm as it is done only once in five years. The funds are part of the allocation for cultural or social functions.”