MUMBAI: The BMC He has almost exhausted his contingency fund after spending around Rs 1,600 crore on Covid-19 mitigation measures, and now he wants Rs 450 crore more to continue his fight against the virus. To meet this need, the BMC plans borrow money from other departments and has asked the standing committee to approve the transfer of funds.
Each year, the municipal corporation reserves 2% of the total budget in its contingency fund. Over the years, the amount reached 1,000 million rupees. Then the Covid-19 pandemic broke out and a lockdown was imposed. Civic officials said there is now less than Rs 30 million left in the contingency fund.
According to civic officials, the BMC has spent around 150 crore per month on Covid-19 mitigation so far. “When the pandemic broke out, we had around 1 billion rupees in the contingency fund. In April, it was reduced to 800 million rupees. Later, 600 million rupees were added to it. But all that money has been spent and now we need another Rs 450 crore to pay the remaining bills until the end of this financial year. So, we have asked the permanent civic committee to approve the transfer of funds for other departments to the contingency fund, ”said an official, requesting anonymity.
According to officials, the BMC has spent a large chunk – around Rs 450 crore – on the installation and maintenance of a Covid care center at Seven-Hills Hospital in Marol and around Rs 210 crore on the giant Covid facilities.
Out of concern about expenses, some members of the standing committee have requested an audit of expenses. “BMC’s spending on Covid-19 has been riddled with allegations of mismanagement and corruption. The BMC is required to publish a detailed whitepaper on its Covid-19 spending, as nearly all of the money was spent without floating any bids. Builders have signed contracts to establish giant Covid centers and even supply oxygen cylinders. There was a lot of spending in large areas that need to be reviewed, ”said the Samajwadi Party MLA and Rais Shaikh corporate.
Vinod Mishra, BJP corporation, party leader at BMC, agreed. “A white paper must be published. Corruption during the pandemic reached new heights at the BMC. Although the cases are declining now, corruption in spending is still at the highest levels of Covid-19, “he alleged.
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