Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
Newly elected municipal corporators in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMC) will receive a monthly honorarium of ₹10,000 as per the Class ‘C’ Municipal Corporation norms. For attending a general body meeting, they will be paid a meeting allowance of ₹400. In addition, key office-bearers such as the mayor, deputy mayor, chairman of the standing committee, and the leader of the opposition will be provided with vehicles.
If they choose to use their own vehicles, the mayor will be paid ₹39,000 per month, while other office-bearers will receive ₹37,000 per month, according to sources in the municipal corporation. Earlier, there was a provision for a discretionary fund of up to ₹5 lakh. Now, under the prabhag system, a fixed amount will be allocated to each prabhag for various development works, the sources said.
The newly elected corporators have not yet visited the municipal corporation headquarters, though relatives of former corporators are seen visiting. The draw for mayoral reservation will be held on January 22. The first meeting for the election of the mayor is expected to be convened soon. The district collector is likely to preside over this meeting as the presiding officer.
There is considerable curiosity among newly elected corporators and office-bearers regarding the facilities and amenities provided by the municipal corporation. When information was sought in this regard, sources stated that corporators are paid a monthly honorarium of ₹10,000 along with a meeting allowance of ₹400. The mayor enjoys the status of a minister of state and is therefore provided with a vehicle. The vehicles used by civic officers will be allotted to the office-bearers. If office-bearers use their own vehicles, the mayor will receive ₹39,000 and other office-bearers ₹37,000 per month. CSMC staff are posted at the mayor’s bungalow, and household items and other materials are procured through the corporation’s store section.
How much is the fund for each prabhag?
There are 29 prabhags in the city. Corporators will not be given a discretionary fund. Instead, a fixed amount will be allocated in the municipal budget for various development works in each ward. Development work throughout the year will have to be carried out within this allotted amount. The policy decision regarding how much fund each prabhag will receive will be taken by the mayor and the chairman of the standing committee.
How will corporators be kept satisfied?
Earlier, while undertaking development works in wards, contractors had to take certain corporators into confidence. Now, under the prabhag system, the question troubling many is how to keep four corporators satisfied while carrying out development work. Newly elected officials are also privately seeking clarity on this issue.