MUMBAI, May 14: Corporators cutting across party lines have criticised the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) proposal to slash their funds by Rs 1 lakh from this year onwards.

The civic administration, which presented a budget of Rs 233 crore (1997-98) at the Thane Municipal Corporation general body meeting on Wednesday, argued that last year a sum of Rs 5 lakh for each of 85 wards, totalling Rs 4.25 crore, was provided. However, the number of wards has since increased to 95, thereby reducing the share of corporators' funds from each ward in the current TMC budget.

``The present allocation of Rs 5 lakh is too small to carry out any meaningful work. With the latest cut, the situation will only worsen,'' corporators from both the ruling Shiv Sena and the opposition Congress stated, adding they would oppose the move tooth and nail. Political parties have been trying to capitalise on the hike in water-supply rates, which is likely to be unpopular with the citizens. A slabwise increase of minimum Rs 20 is awaiting approval from the corporation. The BJP city president, Sanjay Kelkar, termed the proposed hike as ``arbitrary and unwarranted'', adding that the citizens are being unnecessarily harassed by the civic body.

Incidentally, the BJP is partner in power in the TMC. Congress corporator Balkrishna Purnekar staged a dharna protesting the proposed hike in front of the corporation office. The civic administration has estimated the income from octroi at Rs 129.29 crore for 1997-98 and suggested privatisation of collection of octroi to reach the target. Significantly, the budgetary support to the Thane Municipal Transport Service has been drastically cut from Rs 1.90 crore last year to Rs 25 lakh for 1997-98. The bus services, which were started nine years ago, are being run on commercial basis.

Besides, as per provisions of the Mumbai Regional Corporation Act 1949, the transport body is required to transfer some amount to the corporation, the budget proposal noted. Among other proposals are a fire tax of half per cent, gradation of hotels, vehicle-parking charges, registration fees for shops and factories, and show tax, which are expected to mop up Rs 60 lakh.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.