Records reveal that renovation and refurbishment are underway in around 22 rooms at NMC headquarters, including chambers of the mayor, deputy mayor, standing committee chairman, transport committee chairman, leader of the house, leader of opposition, and various subject committees, besides party offices. Officials said the old chambers suffered damage due to termite infestation and seepage, prompting the administration to undertake repairs and modernisation. However, the scale of spending has raised eyebrows within civic circles. Sources in the administration said new air conditioners, furniture, sofas, refrigerators, and wall panelling are being installed in most of these chambers. In all, around 47 air conditioners were replaced across nearly 24 rooms located in older buildings, reportedly at the insistence of newly elected representatives. The spending spree also extended to ceremonial events following the return of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to power in the civic body after a gap of 4 years.According to officials, 19 lakh was spent on tents, stage arrangements, and decorations for swearing-in ceremony of the mayor and deputy mayor. A similar sum was spent again for felicitation of former mayor and deputy mayor, and for oath-taking ceremony of standing committee and transport committee chairpersons. The arrangements included sofas, fans, stage décor, flower arrangements, generators, and round-the-clock tent installations. What has further irked visitors and civic activists is that the stage and tent structures erected on the green lawns of the NMC headquarters on March 2 remained in place even 4 days after the event, raising concerns about wastage of public funds and administrative apathy. Some leaders were even heard suggesting the structures may be retained for upcoming special committee oath-taking ceremonies, indicating that installations could remain on the premises for several more days. The renovation works are reportedly being carried out without inviting fresh tenders, with officials saying the projects are being executed under existing rate contracts. However, sources claimed that the contractors executing the work are allegedly close to certain office-bearers, rather than the originally listed vendors. With the civic body repeatedly citing financial constraints and revenue shortfall, citizens visiting the headquarters questioned need for huge expenditure on chambers, ceremonial events. Senior officials said details of total expenditure are still being compiled, but prelim estimates suggest the renovation and related expenses could cross 20 crore.“If the corporation is claiming financial distress, why spend crores on refurbishing offices and lakhs on ceremonies?” asked a visitor.
