After tax hike, demand grows for live telecast of TMC proceedings

The issue came up after the last week meeting on August 17, during which a resolution to set up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for cluster development in Thane was also approved

Thane: A property tax hike approved by the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) last week without discussion has once again put the spotlight on the demand to live-stream the civic body’s General Body meetings. Opposition parties have renewed the demand, while BJP leaders have also backed it, saying residents should be able to see how important civic proposals are discussed and approved.

After tax hike, demand grows for live telecast of TMC proceedings

The issue came up after the last week meeting on August 17, during which a resolution to set up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for cluster development in Thane was also approved. Opposition leaders alleged that important proposals were being passed without adequate discussion.

On August 19, Manoj Pradhan, Thane president of the NCP (SP), organised a press conference to oppose the recent project approvals by the TMC.

Pradhan said, “The proceedings of the BMC and the state legislature are telecast live. However, despite our demand, the proceedings of the TMC General Body are not being telecast. This makes it clear that the ruling party and the administration want to hide information from the public.”

He further alleged that the property tax hike was used as the main focus of the meeting while the cluster development proposal was passed. He also criticised the proposed FSI of 12 under the cluster development project, alleging that the government was planning to “sell Thane”.

Thane deputy mayor Krishna Patil said there was no reason for the TMC to be treated differently from other civic bodies whose proceedings are broadcast.

Patil told HT, “The public has every right to know what their elected representatives are doing in the house and how projects affecting their daily lives are being discussed and approved.”

Thane Congress chief Rahul Pingale also supported the demand, saying residents should not have to wait for reports in the media to know what happened in the General Body meeting. “What is wrong with the public knowing about their corporators through a live telecast? It would bring more trust and faith among the public,” he said.

Pingale added that a live broadcast would allow people to follow discussions and decisions in real time.