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◆ Mumbai Municipality’s Austerity Only on Paper
◆ Modi’s Austerity, Municipality’s Extravagance!
◆ To Inform 27 Members of a Changed Meeting Time, Did Municipality Vehicles Drive Across Mumbai?
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◆ WhatsApp, SMS, Email, and Phone Options Were Available
◆ Additional Burden of Diesel, Overtime, and Administrative Costs
◆ A Snub to the Prime Minister’s Austerity Appeal
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A shocking example has come to light that the Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s austerity is only on paper. Instead of using WhatsApp, email, or a simple mobile call to inform about a change in meeting time, two municipal vehicles were driven across Mumbai. This has led to accusations of widespread wastage of diesel, manpower, and public funds.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to citizens to practice austerity—reduce the use of petrol and diesel, avoid unnecessary expenses. However, under the BJP-Shinde alliance’s rule in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation, the exact opposite is being observed. Members had already been informed that the standing committee meeting would be held on June 3 at 2:00 PM. Accordingly, the meeting agenda and documents were also delivered to the councilors’ homes. But the administration decided to hold the meeting two hours earlier, at 12:00 PM, for presentations on certain topics.
What happened next is even more shocking. Instead of using modern technology to communicate the changed time, two official motor vehicles were dispatched from the municipal headquarters. One vehicle was directed towards Dahisar, and the other towards Mulund. Each vehicle had a separate arrangement of a driver and an attendant.
To inform just 27 members about the change in meeting time, the entire city of Mumbai was turned upside down. The task was completed past midnight. Employees who had worked the day shift had to work extra hours, resulting in overtime costs that will burden the municipal treasury.
The biggest question is: couldn’t this information have been conveyed in a few minutes via a WhatsApp message, SMS, or phone call? When the municipality has the mobile numbers, email IDs, and digital contact details of all members, why was it necessary to deploy government vehicles on the road in such an outdated manner?
On one hand, crores of rupees are collected from Mumbaikars in the form of taxes, and on the other hand, public money is being squandered for such trivial reasons using government machinery. Citizens are expressing angry reactions.
Notably, the opposition has remained silent on this matter, raising the question: who will hold the administration accountable? Ordinary citizens are now asking whether lessons in austerity in the municipality, which runs on Mumbaikars’ money, are limited only to speeches.

Dahisar

Dahisar is a suburban neighborhood located in the northern part of Mumbai, India, with a history tied to its role as a key entry point to the city. The area’s name is derived from the Marathi words “Dahi” (curd) and “Sar” (lake), referencing a historic lake that once existed there. Today, it is a bustling residential and commercial area, known for the Dahisar River and its proximity to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

Mulund

Mulund is a suburban neighborhood located in the northeastern part of Mumbai, India. Its history traces back to the early 20th century when it was a small village, but it rapidly developed into a residential and commercial hub after the expansion of the Mumbai suburban railway network in the 1960s. Today, Mulund is known for its green spaces, local markets, and as a quiet yet well-connected residential area within the bustling metropolis.