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Corporators to inform voters where funds were used

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Express news service

Posted: Feb 28, 2008 at 0112 hrs IST

Mumbai, February 27 The fund set aside by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for ‘unforeseen works’ of the corporators to use in its annual financial budget, disappears even before the year ends, however the citizens never come to know where and how was the money utilised. Now, to change this set-up, the Lok Satta movement has initiated a ‘hisab do abhiyan’ under which corporators will have to inform the voters where was the fund of Rs 35 lakh utilised.

Volunteers of the movement have already started meeting corporators and submitting forms to them which will provide details of fund allocation and its utilisation.

In fact, one corporator has already submitted the form, claim members.

Co-ordinator of the campaign Ruben Mascarhenas said that there are over 200 young volunteers who will be following up with the 227 corporators.

“We will meet the corporators and explain them why their voters should know where the fund was used. After this, we will regularly follow up with the corporators,” he said.

The idea behind the campaign is that the citizens who vote during elections are liable to know where the fund is being used and ‘the corporators should inform them’.

But when asked if the members were hopeful of getting responses from all 227 corporators, Mascarhenas said that they were positive. “Since the corporators are not legally bound to give the details, we cannot force them, however, we will try our best. Even if 30 corporators respond back, it will result in change,” he said.

Another member, Surendra Shrivastava said that it was important for local communities to come together and priortise ward level projects.

“Once they know where the fund was utilised they can decide whether it was really important. They can communicate with the corporators and decide on the need of works to be carried with the corporator’s fund,” he said.

Will they, won’t they?
* Vidya Thakur (deputy mayor): NGOs keep coming with such campaigns. We work with complete honesty but they create hurdles in our working. However, if everyone fills the form then even I will submit it.
* Bhalchandra Shirsat (BJP leader in BMC): I am responsible and liable for voters of my area and whenever they wanted to know something, I have informed them. However, I will not provide information to just anyone. Why should I provide details to citizens from Colaba or Lalbaug area ? NGOs have ‘special interest’ for indulging in such activities.
* Rajhans Singh (Congress leader): Corporators are supposed to display information on the fund utilisation at the ward level. I have been doing this and will continue to do so. Citizens have right to know where the money is being used and there should be no problem for the corporator to declare the details of fund.
* Niyaz Wanu (NCP leader): Its a good thing and I will be filling the form. Citizens should know where and how the fund is being used. The exercise is in the larger interest of citizens and it is welcomed.

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