Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation Discloses Significant Unused Councillor Funds in RTI Response
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has revealed that a substantial portion of funds allocated to municipal councillors remains unutilized, according to information provided under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. This disclosure came in response to a query filed by activist Santoshsinh Rathod, shedding light on financial management practices within the civic body.
Financial Year 2024-25 Shows 30.1% Funds Unspent
In the current financial year 2024-25, municipal councillors were allotted grants totaling Rs 76.8 crore. However, only Rs 53.7 crore of this amount has been utilized, leaving Rs 23.1 crore or 30.1% of the allocated funds completely unspent. The AMC provided these figures in its official response to the RTI application, highlighting a significant gap between allocation and expenditure.
Four-Year Trend Reveals Rs 67.2 Crore Returned Unused
Looking at a broader timeframe, the AMC disclosed that over the past four years, from 2021-22 to 2024-25, councillors received total allocations of Rs 268.8 crore. Out of this substantial amount, only Rs 201.6 crore was actually spent on development works and other permissible expenses. This means that approximately Rs 67.2 crore, representing a quarter of the total allocation, was returned unused to the municipal treasury.
Year-Wise Utilization Patterns Show Improvement
The RTI data reveals interesting year-wise patterns in fund utilization:
- 2021-22: Out of Rs 57.6 crore allocated, councillors spent Rs 37 crore, achieving a utilization rate of 64.1%
- 2022-23: From an allocation of Rs 57.6 crore, Rs 48.2 crore was utilized, representing 83.6% utilization
- 2023-24: With Rs 76.8 crore allocated, councillors spent Rs 62.7 crore, achieving 81.6% utilization
- 2024-25: Current year shows only 69.9% utilization with Rs 53.7 crore spent from Rs 76.8 crore allocation
Activist Raises Concerns About Questionable Expenditures
Santoshsinh Rathod, the activist who filed the RTI application, has raised serious concerns about how the utilized funds are being spent. He alleges that between 20% and 25% of the expended funds have been directed toward items such as society signboards, boards, and benches. Rathod specifically noted that the AMC secretary's office clarified that no official resolution permits displaying councillors' names on such installations, raising questions about the propriety of these expenditures.
Specific Cases Highlight Potential Misuse
Rathod pointed to a particularly concerning case involving three councillors from Bhaipura ward who collectively spent Rs 1.4 lakh from their grants to purchase an air conditioner for a ward office. According to the activist, such expenditure is not listed as permissible under AMC resolutions, suggesting potential misuse of public funds for unauthorized purposes.
Transparency Concerns Extend to Municipal School Board
Beyond councillor funds, Rathod has also raised allegations regarding lack of transparency in the Ahmedabad Municipal School Board's functioning. He claims the board failed to provide details of contractor bills and certificates confirming the receipt of books by principals of AMC-run schools for recently procured reading materials. This suggests broader transparency issues within the municipal administration's various departments.
Implications for Municipal Governance
The RTI revelations have significant implications for municipal governance in Ahmedabad. The substantial amount of unutilized funds raises questions about planning and implementation capabilities of elected representatives. Meanwhile, the allegations of questionable expenditures point to potential accountability issues that require closer scrutiny. The AMC now faces increased pressure to ensure better utilization of public funds and greater transparency in all municipal operations.
