After demands from councillors for Android-based phones and insurance cover, a corporator has now moved a notice of motion asking the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to make office spaces for all city corporators available.
Mooting the issue for discussion, Samita Naik, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) corporator from ward 202 has suggested that the corporation provide space for members on civic plots in all 227 electoral wards.
Naik said being public representatives, corporators need to stay in regular touch with residents. They, she argued, need to have proper office space to carry out paperwork related to public concerns and to pursue grievances with the municipal administration. She added that given the skyrocketing rates for spaces in the city, it is not possible for all representatives to have offices. Therefore, the BMC should make such spaces available.
“I have not looked into the demand. I can say something only after going through the details,” said civic chief Sitaram Kunte.
Residents have slammed corporators for coming up with such demands. “In the name of public service, elected members are doing self-service. And, in return, what benefits are people getting?” asked Harishchandra Pandey, a Kandivli resident.
