Corporators, like the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) employees, will now have to register themselves using biometric attendance. If the proposal approved by all political parties on Monday is anything to go by, those skipping general assembly meeting or leaving it halfway will not be eligible for the day’s allowance.
Till now, the BMC has been recording attendance of corporators through signatures on a register. “Corporators who do not sit for the entire duration might lose the allowance for the day. The move will enforce discipline among corporators,” BJP group leader Manoj Kotak, who moved the proposal, said.
As per rules, all corporators should attend at least four of the five general assembly meetings held every month. They are paid ₹150 as allowance for every meeting, apart from the salary and perks. Similar rules also apply to members of various committees.
Ravi Raja, leader of the Congress, said corporators, sometimes, sign the register and leave the assembly immediately. That way they would get the allowance without having to sit through the proceedings. “We don’t mind the new system, which will help all group leaders keep a check.”
The system, however, will not be applicable to the Mayor and the deputy Mayor.
The proposal to install biometric machines for corporators was discussed at the group leaders’ meeting on Monday, and it was passed unanimously. A group leaders’ meeting is an informal body that discusses issues before they are formally brought in for discussion.
Shiv Sena group leader Vishakha Raut said, “We have prima facie agreed to the concept, but its details need to be worked out. We don’t know its modalities yet. The administration needs to come up with a detailed proposal.”
The change, if approved, will apply only to the general assembly meetings for now. Depending on its success, it can be applied to other committee meetings as well.
Last year, the BMC enforced biometric attendance for its one lakh employees.
