Mumbai: The state cabinet has approved several key reforms in the governance of municipal corporations, municipal councils, and industrial cities.
One of the major reforms allows elected members of these bodies to remove their presidents. Previously, the process of removing a president required signatures from at least 50% of elected members. The voting strength has now been changed to two-thirds of the elected members, with the district collector mandated to organise a special session within 10 days to take a decision through voting.
Cabinet Changes Rules Governing The Leasing Of Properties
The cabinet has also approved changes to the rules governing the leasing of properties owned by these bodies. As per new guidelines, the lease rates for residential, educational, charitable, and public properties will be no less than 0.5% of the current market value as per the Ready Reckoner, while commercial and industrial properties will have a minimum lease rate of 0.7%.
A five-member committee, chaired by the respective district collectors, will determine the value, lease rates, and security deposits for properties under these categories. To address the issue of overdue property taxes, the cabinet has also approved the implementation of the Abhay Yojana to waive penalties on outstanding property taxes for municipal corporations, municipal councils, and industrial cities. Currently, a penalty of 2% is levied each month on overdue property taxes.
