The much awaited budget of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) got postponed as the general body meeting was adjourned on Tuesday in view of enforcement of model code of conduct in the district. Standing Committee Chairperson Shivani Wakhre was to present the budget at general body meeting but on Monday itself State Election Commission notified bye-election to one seat in Nagpur district. The seat was vacant since last two and half years after resignation of Chandrashekhar Bawankule, he was elected from Local Self Government bodies seat to State Legislative Council. But since elections to NMC got delayed, the bye-poll could not held.

 

Now that NMC House is constituted, the election to 16 vacant seats in State was announced that automatically triggered model code conduct. Though NMC had written to SEC seeking permission to go ahead with presentation of budget, the same is however still under consideration.

 

The meeting as scheduled was convened at Suresh Bhat auditorium at 11 am but was adjourned for want of quorum. For nearly half an hour the NMC office bearers waited for communication from District Collectorate as to instructions from SEC about budget meeting. Later Mayor announced that NMC has not received clearance for continuing with budget meeting in view of MCC and hence she adjourned it. Already due to NMC polls held in month of February, the Administration's budget itself got delayed. Municipal Commissioner presented his budget to Standing Committee in month of April and the financial body took its own time to finalise the civic body budget. The new financial year has started and in absence of passage of annual budget, adhoc works are on emergency basis.

 

 

Ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) corporators showcased austerity measures as many of them ditched officials vehicles, a few brave heart chose to cycle down all the way to meeting venue. Four corporators from West Nagpur chose to pedal from Dharampeth to Suresh Bhat auditorium. Standing Committee Chairperson Shivani Wakhre chose to drive in electric vehicle instead of official vehicle while Health Committee Chairperson Manisha Atkare chose to reach the venue in autorickshaw. Some other corporators from Mahal area chose the padyatra route in response to appeal of austerity. Many coprorators shared autorickshaw while Pradip Pohane chose to drive e-scooter.

 

 

Two women corporators of IUML-AIMIM group chose to attend the meeting with their children. This is for the first time family members were allowed to sit in the NMC House. Though the meeting was adjourned and hence it did not came to notice. Last time there was major fiasco as many corporators brought along their family members and associates in the House. The proceedings of NMC House are in camera proceedings and non Members are not allowed to sit. Yet due to multiple entry points and lack of scrutiny on part of NMC administration led to intrusion of nearly a dozen 'guests' at the last meeting of general body. This time however there was only single point of entry and all corporators were instructed to wear their identity cards. The move ensured that no outsiders came into the meeting hall. Still the presence of children triggered curiosity.