Patil informed that all the 16 committees for the 24 wards in the city would be formed between October 26 to 30 this year. The mayor will, however, oppose the criteria set by the state government that a non-governmental organisation to be appointed on a committee should have carried out public works up to a minimum of Rs 25,000. ``The NGOs run by the rich will qualify if this criteria is adhered to,'' he said.

Each of the ward committees will have three NGOs. The committees will comprise the local corporators and will be presided over by the respective ward offices. Patil also clarified that NGOs having political affiliations will not be allowed on the committees.

Though there are 24 wards, the number of ward committees have been fixed at 16 to reduce the cost of establishment. For this, smaller wards have been amalgamated to form acommittee.

The decision to form the committees had been taken two years ago but could not be implemented for lack of funds and lack of space in the wards to set up the committees. The committees will have powers to carry out public works up to Rs 5 lakh.