Mumbai: The proposal to merge the budget of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST), with that of its parent body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), was passed unanimously by the civic body on Thursday.
There was no discussion about the proposal in the House. Once implemented, the merger will mean that the BEST’s budget will be aligned with that of the BMC, which will “adopt” the BEST. However, this will not in any way diminish or affect the powers and authority held by the BEST committee or general manager, Anil Kokil, chairperson of the BEST committee said.
The proposal presented before the corporation on Thursday mentioned that BEST had accumulated losses of ₹2,148. 04 cr as of July 2017, including loans of ₹1,961. 49 crore from banks and the BMC.
‘Historic decision’
“I am happy to have this historic decision passed during my term, after earlier attempts had been unsuccessful. This is also fulfilment of our party’s (Shiv Sena’s) manifesto. We will follow up this decision with the Commissioner and State government till it is fully implemented,” Mr. Kokil said.
‘Burden on taxpayers’
Opposition leader Ravi Raja of the Congress, who had supporting the merger in BEST meetings, took a slightly different stance on Thursday. “Why should the taxpayers, who may not be travelling by BEST buses, pay for the BEST’s losses caused by their own inefficiency? Instead, the corporation should grant a lump sum transport subsidy of ₹500 crore per annum to BEST,” said Mr. Raja.
