Municipal commissioner Sitaram Kunte said, “In order to leverage CSR funds, BMC will create a dedicated cell that would serve as platform for corporate houses and public sector undertakings to interact with BMC.”
As per the Ministry of Company Affairs guidelines, corporate houses are mandated to set aside two per cent of their net profit towards CSR initiatives. Many firms are showing a keen interest in assisting causes related to health, education, environment and livelihood of the city, said Kunte.
The civic administration will involve Tata Institute of Social Science in the initiative and prepare a list of projects and activities for which BMC would be eligible for CSR funding. “An interested corporate or PSU can choose to contribute to any of the activities or projects being carried out by the BMC,” said Kunte.
Recently, the civic administration launched a Rs 95-crore scheme to clear garbage in the city, for which it was planning to seek support from corporate houses. Rahul Shewale, standing committee chairman and Shiv Sena corporator said, “We have approached Rashtriya Chemical Fertilisers (RCF) in Chembur to help the local ward office in keeping the city clean. We are hoping for finanical funding or other forms of participation from corporates.”
Highlights
n Total budget estimate for 2013-2014 ballooned by 23.27 per cent as compared to the revised estimates of 2012-2013
n The new source of premium against fungible FSI has fetched Rs 943 crore up to January 24, 2013
n The main increase in revenue is expected from the market redevelopment policy in addition to usual sources of revenue such as octroi, property tax and development charges
n As per state government directives, octroi has to be replaced by Local Body Tax and a provision to introduce the same from the next financial year has been made
n BMC’s presence in social media to increase
n Training on ethics in governance for employees
n Annual property returns of municipal officers will be made available for public on BMC website
n Initiatives for women’s safety will be taken during 2013-14
n Rs 2 crore for study of schemes like residential parking permits and differential charging for parking depending upon location and time of the day