In a recent communication, the VMC has been asked not to implement a decision in which the General Board had, in March this year, passed a proposal to install a minimum of 50 streetlights in private societies and trusts from the councillors' quota. There are 78 councillors. According to highly placed civic sources, installing one streetlight costs at least Rs 1,000.

Aloria, in a letter to the State Government a few months ago, had referred the matter to it saying that under section 249 of the Bombay Provincial Municipal Corporation (BPMC) Act, streetlights could be installed only on public streets. He had sought the State Government's intervention on the basis of powers vested with him under section 451 of the BPMC Act.

The city fathers had passed the resolution on the grounds that they should also be given the privilege of suggesting where streetlights ought to be installed as the VMC was installing streetlights on the MLAs' suggestions in private housing societies and slum areas. While the installation cost is borne from the MLAs' quota, the VMC has to pay the electricity bill.

From this year, the civic body has already put in abeyance installation of streetlights at the MLAs' suggestions. Aloria had said in no uncertain terms that streetlights would be installed only if the housing societies and other areas paid the electricity bills.

Highly placed officials view the recent State Government decision as one which would strengthen their decision to suspend installing streetlights on legislators' suggestions.

Sources said the city fathers are adopting a wait-and-watch policy. One VMC office-bearer told Express Newsline that any further move would come after the Lok Sabha election results were declared. The BJP is currently busy in analysing the low voter turnout, he added.