The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has sent a proposal to its standing committee seeking additional funds of ₹400 crores till March 2021 for initiatives taken to deal with the COVID-19.
According to reports, the BMC has already spent ₹1,632 crore to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus infections and fight the pandemic. Currently, ₹29 crore remains in the contingency fund.
The BMC has so far spent the maximum amount of ₹453.11 crores for setting up a COVID care facility at Seven Hills hospital and another ₹213.08 crore for the creation and upkeep of jumbo facilities.
As per the data, till April 1, 2020, the civic body had received contingency fund had ₹852 crore and the entire sum was utilised in fighting the pathogen attack. Later, to ensure that the funds don’t fall short, the BMC churned out ₹300 crores from its own budget and sought ₹60 crore from the state government. Besides, in August, the civic body curtailed its budget and accumulated ₹1,662 crore further for the pandemic preparation as a contingency fund backup.
Recently, the standing committee had questioned the expenditure on food packets, which was more than ₹100 crores. The members had demanded an explanation and also asked for an audit.
However, this proposal is likely to trigger another tussle between the administration and corporators who have questioned the civic body’s expenditure incurred in the name of fighting the pandemic.
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