Mumbai: After an uproar by office bearers of Ganeshotsav Mandals and local political parties, the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has decided to slash the hike in fees for erecting pandals (makeshift tents) during Maharashtra’s biggest festival by 50 percent. A resolution to this effect was unanimously passed in MBMC’s general body meeting held on Wednesday.
In sharp contrast to the nominal charges levied by their Mumbai and Thane counterparts, the MBMC had imposed a fee of Rs 1 per square feet on a per day basis for the erection of pandals on municipal roads, before awarding No Objection Certificates (NOC) at ward-levels to the Ganeshotsav Mandals. This apart from levying heavy charges on installation of temporary arches and gates that welcome pandal-hoppers.
However, the decision triggered a tremendous discontent amongst local Ganeshotsav Mandals. Stung by the unjustified hike, a delegation of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena activists led by city chief Prasad Surve had met municipal commissioner Balaji Khatgaonkar demanding an immediate rollback. Sensing that the issue would snowball into a major confrontation, the civic administration relented and reduced the fee from Rs 1 to 50 paise per square feet on a per day basis for the erection of pandals and Rs 1,000 per day for welcome gates, thus providing a welcome relief to Ganeshotsav Mandals.
