First-time corporators to get lessons on civic matters

With 145 of the 227 newly elected corporators being first-timers in the house, political parties plan to hold training sessions for these ‘new’ corporators to ensure their performance.

There are 54 first-time corporators from Shiv Sena, 35 to 40 from Congress, 27 from Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), 21 from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and seven from Nationalist Congress Party.

The 50% reservation for women in the civic polls has changed the numbers in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

“We strongly believe in training new corporators. Their training session will be held soon,” said Niranjan Shetty, BJP media in-charge.

The BJP is the first party to start such training sessions for politicians and had even instituted Rambhau Mhalagi Prabodhini in Uttan for the same.

Neelam Gorhe, Shiv Sena spokesperson, said the party will conduct training sessions for newcomers to introduce them to the BMC functioning.

“Though it might take some months for first-time corporators to adjust, it will not be difficult for them to perform as they are more familiar with local issues,” Gorhe added.

Shirish Parkar, MNS spokesperson, said the party will announce details about the training programme soon. “They will have to report to MNS chief Raj Thackeray on a regular basis after the training,” said Parkar.

Social activists feel the training will help corporators improve civic amenities.

“It would surely help newcomers understand the system and be prepared to address civic issues in a better way,” said Sharad Kumar of Action for Good Governance and Networking in India.