Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Urban administration minister Kailash Vijayvargiya on Monday urged mayors to ensure financial self-reliance of municipal bodies and suggested tax increases, expressing concern over lack of transparency in municipal corporations. The minister’s remarks during a conference of the Madhya Pradesh unit of the All India Council of Mayors at Brilliant Convention Centre here triggered a political debate. Vijayvargiya emphasized that revenue sources must be expanded and leakages minimized.
“If we initiate an investigation, our municipal corporations will find themselves in the dock,” he said, acknowledging potential financial irregularities. This remark drew immediate reactions from the opposition parties. Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) mayors questioned why an investigation had not been initiated so far despite the BJP being in power both in the state and at the Centre.
“Who is stopping you from conducting an investigation? The government is yours, both in the state and at the Centre,” AAP Mayor Rani Agarwal from Singrauli said. During his address, Vijayvargiya strongly suggested tax hikes, urging mayors to take bold steps. “We don’t raise taxes, yet we provide subsidized water. Why hesitate? Show some courage and impose taxes”, he asserted. Recalling his tenure as mayor, he said, “I raised taxes twice in five years. Today, I take pride in the fact that Indore’s budget is the highest in the state.”
Vijayvargiya further argued that financial independence was key to sustainable urban development. “Cities must generate their own revenue streams rather than relying solely on government grants”, he added. He suggested that municipal bodies explore alternative sources of revenue, such as commercial projects and public- private partnerships, to boost their financial standing. The minister’s remarks on potential irregularities in municipal corporations have intensified calls for a comprehensive probe.
Congress mayor Ajay Mishra from Rewa insisted that all urban bodies, especially those governed by BJP-led councils, should undergo scrutiny. “Most municipal corporations are under BJP governance. If a thorough investigation is conducted, corruption will undoubtedly be exposed”, he said. Chief minister Mohan Yadav, who joined the conference virtually from Bhopal, emphasized the importance of urban governance.
He lauded Indore’s initiative of supplying drinking water through solar energy, urging other municipal bodies to adopt similar innovative revenue-generating measures. The conference concluded with discussions on the future of urban administration in Madhya Pradesh, highlighting the challenges and opportunities municipal corporations face.
