MIC Bill passed

MUMBAI, April 22: The much-awaited bill providing for reservation for the post of Mumbai mayor and creation of 12 standing committees in the...

MUMBAI, April 22: The much-awaited bill providing for reservation for the post of Mumbai mayor and creation of 12 standing committees in the new mayor-in-council was unanimously passed by the Legislative Assembly this evening. It was forwarded to the Legislative Council for its approval paving way for its implementation in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC.

The amended bill added new provisions to the earlier bill, which were suggested by the Opposition members who had agreed to support the state government in passing the bill on the condition that their suggestions will be included.

The most important aspect of the new Mayor-in-Council system will be creation of 12 departmental standing committees to assist each of the members of the council. There will be 16 members in each of the committee including the member in-charge. Each committee will be empowered to sanction projects worth up to Rs two crore.

The opposition had argued that the amendment was essential as it was the only way to ensuredecentralisation of power in the council which will now have reservation for the office of the mayor. This provision was also demanded by the opposition saying it will give an opportunity to members from the scheduled castes and tribes to exercise power.

The bill also provides for a new unreserved post of deputy chairperson. The municipal commissioner will now act as the secretary of the council with a right to participate in the deliberations of the council. However, the he has been denied the right of voting in the council.

The council will not be able to pass any resolution or take any action resulting in conferring of an independent status for the city, separate from the state of Maharashtra. This section was added after fears were expressed by large section of people including former municipal commissioners, editors and other noted personalities that the mayor-in-council system might separate Mumbai from Maharashtra. Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray had severely criticised the bill suggesting a separatestatus for Mumbai.

Discussing the bill at length before passing it, the opposition members thanked the government for including their suggestions in the bill. In a lighter vein leader of the opposition, Madhukar Pichad, said the first bill rejected by the legislative council was the Manohar Joshi Bill8217; and the one that was passed today was the Chhagan Bhujbal Bill8217;.

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Minister of state for urban development Ravindra Mane said the government was doing an experiment to strengthen the rule of democracy and the sole aim of introducing the bill was to empower the representatives to make decisions on their own.

8220;However, we have made a provision to keep a strict eye on the proceedings of the council,8221; Mane said.