During a council meeting, most councillors agreed to the hike in the fees, though somecouncillors expressed their reservations to the proposal.
Speaking in favour of the hike, Councillors Manish Arolkar and Shekar Khadapkar claimed that since people are ready to pay the revised fees for construction and extension of houses, the councillors should welcome the decision, instead of reserving their opinion. They added that increased fees will help MMC to tide over its present financial crisis.
Later speaking to Herald, Khadapkar said most councillors complain about development of their wards at a time when most residents have illegally extended their houses and do not pay for the extended portion.
“How can MMC carry out developmental works in the wards, when much of the revenue is blocked due to non-payment of fees of the extended portion,” asked Khadapkar.
“The MMC is an ‘A’ class municipal council and we still collect various fees applicable to a ‘C’ class municipal council,” he added.
Khadapkar informed that MMC had resolved to increase fees for construction licenses and its renewal, to increase fees of NOCs for water and electricity connections and other non-specific works of the residential areas. “The council has also resolved to revise and increase fees of structures for commercial purposes,” he said.
Claiming that the last revision of fees was done in 1998, Khadapkar was hopeful that the increased fees would
help MMC address its financial crisis.
