BMC lowers deposit fee for Ganesh Mandals to Rs. 100

The Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti (BSGSS), the body representing the Sarvajanik Ganpati mandals of Mumbai, voiced their concerns on July 26 in a meeting convened by the civic body. President of the BSGSS, Naresh Dahibavkar had earlier told The Indian Express that it was not feasible for smaller mandals to shell out such an amount.

” The civic body’s demands are not fair and proper. The BMC tells us that they are doing this to understand how many Mandals have been registered. If they are demanding Rs 1,000 this year, the amount could keep increasing each year. This is a religious festivity, not a commercial one. Imposing such high charges in the name of deposits is incorrect.”

The BMC have since lowered the deposit fee from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 100, during a meeting with the Ganpanti Mandal association representatives, Maharashtra Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar as well as guardian minister, Mangal Prabhat Lodha on Tuesday.