Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
Corporators from all parties demanded in the standing committee meeting on Saturday that higher discretionary funds be allocated than what was previously given to former corporators, citing the sharp rise in inflation. They said essential development works cannot be carried out with limited funds, and a larger financial provision should be made in the budget for each prabhag. Suggestions were also made to create hawkers’ zones, increase funds for persons with disabilities, and construct more public toilets.
The meeting began at 11 am on Saturday under the chairmanship of Anil Makariye. During the budget discussion, corporator Rajgaurav Wankhede raised several points regarding the city’s overall development. He demanded that each prabhag be allocated Rs 2 crore instead of Rs 1 crore, along with a separate discretionary fund. Madhuri Adwant suggested strengthening the municipal corporation’s financial resources, installing solar systems, enforcing toilet regulations at petrol pumps, and providing smaller fire-fighting vehicles. Khan Almas criticised the functioning of the new waste management company as well as the previous LED company, and called for simplifying the process of issuing birth and death certificates.
Azhar Pathan demanded that the disability fund be increased from Rs 21 crore to Rs 42 crore, Rs 100 crore be allocated for Garware Stadium, and discretionary funds be raised to Rs 15 lakh. Surendra Kulkarni suggested increasing revenue from mobile towers, hoardings, and leasing municipal corporation properties, and issuing licences to handcart vendors. Ravi Kawade called for provisions to compensate property owners in Chikalthana. Sachin Khaire demanded the establishment of a fire station in Shahganj, while Matin Khan also offered suggestions on development works. Kamal Narote, Shweta Trivedi, Archana Neelkanth, and Appasaheb Hivale also participated in the discussion.
Chairman given full authority
After a one-and-a-half-hour discussion, corporators from all parties authorised Chairman Anil Makariye to make all necessary budgetary provisions. It was decided that the budget should be approved at the earliest and forwarded to the general body. The Chairman assured that there would be no shortage of funds for the city’s development and that all concerns would be taken into account.
Additional commissioner’s response
Additional Commissioner Ranjit Patil responded to each issue raised during the discussion and effectively presented the administration’s position.