‘Will try to bring in more transparency’

I have not come to the BMC just to solve its financial problems,though it will be one of the important issues to be dealt with. Finance is one of my strong areas,but I have ideas for the city in the technical and engineering field too. I am yet to completely understand the financial situation and will be able to comment on it only after I am fully aware of the scenario. Broadly,I will try to bring in more transparency in the system and devise ways to keep the revenue more than expenditure.

What would be on top of your priority list?

My first priority will be the budget as it has to be prepared over the next month. We are a service oriented organisation and I will endeavour to not only bring in more transparency but also expedite decision making to make it easier for citizens.

A big issue is the lack of funds. How will you make sure this does not affect infrastructure works?

The long-term plan is to increase revenue and reduce expenditure,but for the meantime I will try to get the approval for the loan which the civic administration has asked from the Government of Maharashtra.

The BMC has not been able to present the balancesheet since 2007-08. How will you tackle this?

I will have to discuss the issue with the officials concerned before I comment. The aim will obviously be to expedite the process of presenting pending balancesheets.

You recommended abolition of octroi while serving in the state revenue department. Any plans to revive the debate?

The issue remains as debatable as ever,since Maharashtra is the only state which still imposes octroi. It hurts industries and makes the state less competitive in business and investment. We eventually have to stop relying on octroi as the major source of revenue and find an alternative source of income.