Involve civil society in the budget exercise
The first problem plaguing the department is corruption. Even if officials get a good pay packet, there is no guarantee that corruption will be reduced. Due to corruption, collection of revenue has been hit. Funds havent reached the BMCs kitty. In such a situation, if the civic corporation increases Octroi, then corruption will also increase. Stiff taxes mean a high level of corruption and turpitude. For example, instead of Rs100, if people have to pay Rs200, then it is a common trend that people want an alternative to escape taxes. So they shell out a bribe of Rs50 or Rs100 to the officials. In this way, corruption increases and proportionately revenue decreases. The BMC commissioner Swadhin Kshatriya has indirectly admitted to the fact, when he said that computerisation will reduce corruption, since manual contact with civic corporation officials will be minimised. So the BMC should focus on reducing corruption and bribery. Moreover the tax structure should be rationalised. The BMC must seek participation of civil society in the formulation and preparation of the budget. Citizens, NGOs and activists should be included in the budget process. Over the last few years, people have begun to understand and follow each and every initiative of the civic corporation and the trends prevailing in the system. Above all the enforcement of any rules or plans must be done strictly, otherwise even with best plans will come to naught. Lastly I would like to say that Im expressing the views which citizens of Mumbai have suggested.
Vinay Somani, trustee, Karmayog.org