Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation
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Name	Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation
State	Maharashtra
City	Mumbai
Mayor	Vishwanath Mahadeshwar
Commissioner	Iqbal Singh Chahal

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is the municipal corporation of Mumbai, the financial capital of India, and is responsible for the governance of the city. The corporation is headed by the Mayor of Mumbai, currently Vishwanath Mahadeshwar, and the Municipal Commissioner of Mumbai, currently Iqbal Singh Chahal, who is the chief executive officer. The corporation has its headquarters at the Municipal Corporation Building, Mumbai, a historic building designed by Frederick William Stevens. The corporation works closely with other government agencies, such as the Government of Maharashtra, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, and the Mumbai Police.

● Introduction

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is one of the largest municipal corporations in India, serving a population of over 12 million people, including residents of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and surrounding areas. The corporation provides a wide range of services, including water supply, sanitation, waste management, transportation, and public health, in collaboration with other organizations, such as the Mumbai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, the Mumbai Transport Corporation, and the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport. The corporation also works with international organizations, such as the World Health Organization, the United Nations Development Programme, and the Asian Development Bank, to address global challenges, such as climate change, sustainable development, and disaster management. The corporation's efforts are recognized by various awards, including the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission and the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

● History

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has a long history, dating back to the British Raj, when the city was a major trading center and a key location for the East India Company. The corporation was established in 1888, during the tenure of Lord Dufferin, the Viceroy of India, and was initially responsible for providing basic services, such as water supply and sanitation, to the city's residents, including those living in Dharavi, Colaba, and Malabar Hill. Over the years, the corporation has undergone significant changes, including the introduction of democratic elections in 1948, after India gained independence from British colonial rule. The corporation has also played a key role in shaping the city's development, including the construction of iconic landmarks, such as the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the Gateway of India, and the Haji Ali Dargah. The corporation's history is closely tied to the history of Mumbai, including the Mumbai riots and the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

● Structure_and_Organization

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is headed by the Mayor of Mumbai, who is elected by the members of the corporation, and the Municipal Commissioner of Mumbai, who is appointed by the Government of Maharashtra. The corporation has a total of 227 members, who are elected by the residents of Mumbai through a proportional representation system. The corporation is divided into several departments, including the Public Works Department, the Water Supply Department, and the Health Department, which work together to provide services to the city's residents, including those living in Andheri, Borivali, and Kurla. The corporation also has a number of committees, including the Standing Committee and the Improvement Committee, which oversee the corporation's activities and make key decisions, in consultation with experts from Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, and National Institute of Urban Affairs.

● Functions_and_Services

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation provides a wide range of services to the residents of Mumbai, including water supply, sanitation, waste management, transportation, and public health. The corporation is also responsible for maintaining the city's infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and public buildings, such as the Mumbai University, the Tata Memorial Hospital, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya. The corporation works closely with other government agencies, such as the Mumbai Police and the Mumbai Fire Brigade, to ensure the safety and security of the city's residents, including those living in Dadar, Matunga, and Wadala. The corporation also provides a number of social services, including education, healthcare, and welfare programs, in partnership with organizations, such as the United Nations Children's Fund, the World Bank, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

● Elections_and_Politics

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is a major political institution in Mumbai, with a number of political parties, including the Shiv Sena, the Indian National Congress, and the Bharatiya Janata Party, competing for power. The corporation's elections are held every five years, with the most recent election taking place in 2017. The corporation's politics are closely tied to the politics of Maharashtra and India, with many prominent politicians, including Sharad Pawar, Narendra Modi, and Rahul Gandhi, having a significant influence on the corporation's activities. The corporation's members also work closely with other government agencies, such as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority and the Government of Maharashtra, to address key issues, such as urban planning, transportation, and environmental protection, in consultation with experts from Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, National Institute of Technology, Mumbai, and Centre for Policy Research.

● Budget_and_Finance

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has a significant budget, with a total outlay of over INR 30,000 crore in 2020-21. The corporation's budget is funded by a combination of sources, including property taxes, octroi, and grants from the Government of Maharashtra and the Government of India. The corporation also generates revenue from a number of sources, including advertising, licensing fees, and user charges, which are used to fund its various activities, including the Mumbai Metro and the Mumbai Monorail. The corporation's financial management is overseen by the Standing Committee and the Improvement Committee, which work together to ensure that the corporation's finances are managed in a transparent and accountable manner, in accordance with the Municipalities Act and the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. The corporation's budget is also subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and the Maharashtra State Auditor General.

Category: Municipal corporations in India