Mumbai's Rs 206.5 crore Mayor's Fund sparks debate over unequal allocations
Mumbai’s civic body has approved its largest-ever Mayor’s Development Fund, totalling Rs 206.5 crore. The decision was finalised in a recent General Body meeting. However, the distribution of these funds has sparked debate, with ruling alliance members receiving significantly more than opposition corporators. The fund, cleared earlier this year, marks a historic high for the civic body. Each corporator is normally entitled to Rs 1.6 crore annually for local development. But this time, the allocation was uneven: members of the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance were granted between Rs 2.5 crore and Rs 3 crore each, while opposition corporators received only Rs 25 lakh.
The extra funds for the ruling alliance were sourced by reallocating budgets from key civic departments. Nearly Rs 200 crore of the total fund has gone to Mahayuti corporators. Officials stated that the money would accelerate projects like infrastructure upgrades, sanitation works, and ward-level improvements. To ensure quick execution, the entire Rs 206.5 crore was made available on the SAP system over the weekend. This move aims to fast-track civic amenities and local development across Mumbai.
The record-breaking fund will now support various civic projects in the city. With allocations already processed through the SAP system, work on infrastructure, sanitation, and ward-level schemes is set to begin. The uneven distribution, however, has drawn attention to how development funds are assigned within the civic body.
