BJP Corporator opposes use of 'G' budget money for gardens

Mumbai, Jul 16 (UNI) A BJP Corporator in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) today opposed the civic administration's decision to use money from the 'G' budget, meant for water and sewerages, for the beautification of city gardens.

The administration has decided to use around Rs 83 crore this year for beautification of Powai garden and the pump house garden at Dadar.

BJP corporator and Standing committee member, Yogesh Sagar claimed ''the administration's decision to use money from the 'G' budget is to facilitate the contractors, who are in charge of the beautification, as the administration knows that the G budget has surplus money and payment will be made immediately.'' Since the ruling Shiv Sena is supporting the issue, Sagar said he was unhappy with its decision.

Sagar said the administration has decided to use around Rs 175 crore from the G budget for beautification of gardens in the coming years.

The G budget has a surplus of Rs 1,300 crore in fixed deposits and has a total surplus of Rs 2,900 crore.

Rajendra Laad, MNS corporator, echoed Sagar's view and said that the administration should use money from 'A' budget as it is meant for gardens and beautification, and the money from G budget should not be used for proposals other than that related to water and sewerages, as the citizens of Mumbai have not been supplied enough water as yet.

Samajwadi Party councillor Mohsin Haider said the BMC has earmarked and segregated the budget in different sections, for its convenience.

Surprisingly, the opposition led by Raj Hans Singh supported the BMC decision.

Standing committee chairman Waikar said, ''there is no harm in the decision as it is done for a very good cause, and is the need of the hour.'' BMC commissioner Jairaj Phatak said ''the work in the water and sewerages department and the gardens goes hand in hand, and criticism is uncalled for as it would be wrong to say that if water supply is not proper, the Hydraulic department should not build gardens or beautify them.'' The biggest garden in the city has been built by the Brihanmumbai Port Trust, and it would be wrong to say that the garden is not required and the money should be used only for shipping purposes.

UNI