October 22, 2025

Mumbai is buzzing as Maharashtra's urban development department, under Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, has just announced a whopping Rs 500 crore special fund for municipal corporations and councils across the state. This money is seen as a grand move ahead of the local body elections. Thane Municipal Corporation, a key area for Shinde, got the biggest slice—Rs 75 crore. Part of this, Rs 28 crore, will build a fresh swimming pool! Nagpur, the home turf of CM Devendra Fadnavis, is not far behind, with Rs 63 crore set to boost its local bodies. Even Kalyan-Dombivli, from Sena MP and Shinde's son Shrikant Shinde's area, receives Rs 4.5 crore. Ambernath Municipal Council bags a huge Rs 88 crore. Other districts like Satara, Nandurbar, Jalgaon, Buldhana, Washim, and Palghar are also getting funds ranging from Rs 5 crore to Rs 20 crore for key developments. Officials say this cash is for basic amenities and comes with strict rules to ensure proper use. Usually, municipal projects are funded 25% by local bodies and 75% by the state. But now, in many cases, the state is footing the entire bill! This has set tongues wagging. A keen political observer shared, "Elections are likely to be announced after Diwali. Mahayuti is trying to woo voters by starting development works before the model code of conduct comes into effect." Indeed, the move looks like a game plan to catch voters’ eyes. However, the Maharashtra government faces criticism. Opposition MLAs claim funds are unevenly spread, favouring those linked to the ruling alliance. With the state's finances tight, the government has been careful with new projects, especially for roads and bridges. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's recent budget shows the strain: Maharashtra's debt is expected to reach a staggering Rs 9.3 lakh crore—over 10% more than last year. The revenue deficit—the gap between income and expenses—is nearly Rs 20,000 crore higher than before. In this financial crunch, the Rs 500 crore boost to municipal bodies seems like a high-stakes gamble ahead of the elections. Will development works win the hearts in this political thriller? Only time will tell.

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Tags: Maharashtra, Local elections, Municipal funds, Eknath shinde, Devendra fadnavis, State budget,