BJP stresses tax recovery; AIMIM invokes Constitution in budget debate

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: A sharp divide emerged between BJP and AIMIM corporators Monday’s budget general body meeting, with the BJP emphasising tax recovery while AIMIM argued for equitable fund distribution based on constitutional principles.

BJP corporators demanded that areas with higher collection of property and water taxes should receive greater development funds, a remark seen as a direct jibe at AIMIM members. In response, AIMIM corporators insisted that funds must be distributed equally, citing rights guaranteed under the Constitution.

The budget was debated for over five hours, during which numerous suggestions were put forward. Final authority to approve the budget was vested in Mayor Sameer Rajurkar.

Standing Committee chairman Anil Makariye had allocated substantial funds in the budget to BJP, Shinde Sena and some Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) corporators, while AIMIM members received comparatively limited allocations. This disparity triggered strong reactions in the house.

BJP corporators, including Sunil Jagtap, Jalinder Shendge, Shilparani Wadkar, Tryambak Tupe, Kirti Shinde, Raju Vaidya, Madhuri Adwant, Manoj Gangawane, Ashok Damle, Rishi Jaiswal and Pramod Rathod, praised the budget and offered suggestions.

From the opposition benches, Wajed Jahagirdar, Almas Khanam, Sumaiyya Khan, Karuna Jadhav, Nargis Salim, Amit Bhuigal, Mateen Khan, Iqbal Noorjahan, Sunita Wahul, Naveen Oberoi and Azhar Pathan strongly criticised the BJP, accusing it of pursuing vindictive politics and discriminating against certain sections of citizens.

‘Take back the funds’

Corporator Karuna Jadhav went a step further, saying that even the meagre funds allocated to them should be withdrawn, adding that they would continue social work independently throughout the year. She argued that the allocated funds were insufficient to undertake any meaningful development work.

Concerns over hospitals and education

Leader of the Opposition Abdul Sameer questioned whether the Rs 2.78 crore allocation for hospitals was adequate. He also raised concerns over a proposed Rs 15 crore MRI machine purchase, asking whether the municipal corporation even had a qualified radiologist to operate it.

He criticised the condition of equipment at Meltron Hospital, claiming it was lying unused and gathering dust. He further pointed out that only Rs 5 crore had been allocated to the education section, calling it inadequate.

Feroz Khan suspended

Even before the meeting began, BJP corporators Shilparani Wadkar, Balaji Munde and Jalinder Shendge demanded action against corporator Feroz Khan for allegedly making objectionable remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a previous session.

The mayor ordered Khan’s suspension for one day. Notably, Khan had not yet entered the hall and was later stopped at the entrance of the hall.