The BEST is currently reeling under losses of Rs 2,000 crore annually, and the BMC has asked the BEST to submit a concrete plan to earn revenue and increase ridership
The Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking on Tuesday presented its estimated budget of Rs 5,824 crore for the financial year 2018-19, which shows an overall estimated deficit of Rs 880 crore for the same year.
Although the BEST committee allowed the administration to present the budget, it raised questions on how the budget of the fiscal year 2018-19 can be presented when the previous year's budget (2017-18) was not yet approved. The committee also raised questions about the technical difficulties and legal implications that may arise when two fiscal budgets are discussed at the same time.
"It is the first time in the history of BEST Undertaking that a financial budget for next year is presented before the current year's budget is passed. It is a shameful thing for the BEST Undertaking", said BEST committee member, Sunil Ganacharya from BJP. The BEST committee is headed by Shiv Sena's Anil Kokil.
Kokil, however, said the current year's budget will be discussed and passed before discussing the budget for 2018-19. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had in March 2017 not accepted BEST's budget as it showed losses of Rs 590 crore.
The BEST is currently reeling under losses of Rs 2,000 crore annually, and the BMC has asked the BEST to submit a concrete plan to earn revenue and increase ridership.
Some of the highlights of the budget for 2018-19 are scrapping of 273 buses. Due to a paucity of funds, 800 buses will be inducted on wet-lease, which includes 200 Mini AC buses and non-AC buses which will be under the Tejaswini scheme of Maharashtra government.
The budget also includes provisions for application-based pay and park scheme at BEST bus depots in order to utilise the available space in depots and earn revenue.
The budget 2018-19 also has suggestions on reform measures to decrease the estimated deficit of Rs 880 crore. Redevelopment of buses on better paying routes, bus fare revisions and various cost-cutting measures related to BEST employees are suggested.
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