MBMC budget hits the roof despite Rs 600 cr deficit

From 675 crore in 2012 to 2,552 crore in 2022, the MBMC has been unsuccessful in achieving the same mark in budgetary estimates and actual results the next year, and this fiscal seems no different.

The MBMC's general body approved its Rs 2,552 crore annual budget for 2022-23. While the actual revenue generation stands at around Rs 400 crore, funds procured as grants and loans availed from various government agencies occupy a lion's share of the budget. This is despite a shortfall of around Rs 600 crore, including a significant dip in anticipated revenue generation and non-disbursal of grants expected from the state government to fund various ongoing infrastructure projects in the MiraBhayandar.

The non-realisation of projected budget estimates at the end of financial years has been reflecting poorly on the financial management of MBMC.

The opposition has alleged that it has become an annual ritual for the standing committee and the general body to allegedly pump up the original and realistic draft budgets tabled by the civic chief. This year is no different as the Rs 1,817. 90 crore draft budget has shot up to Rs 2,252 crore, the opposition alleged.

Already saddled with multicrore liabilities, coupled with administrative expenses hovering at around 35 per cent of the total budget, the BJP-led MBMC has been unable to augment revenue. Moreover, the opposition has alleged that despite massive financial irregularities in various departments, the civic bosses have been mysteriously shying away from taking action against hundreds of audit objections which continue to remain unsolved for years.