Shimla Municipal Budget Presentation Sparks Political Chaos and Walkout
Chaos erupted in Shimla on Friday as BJP councillors staged a dramatic walkout during the presentation of a surplus budget of Rs 688 crore for the financial year 2026-27 by Mayor Surinder Chauhan. The opposition members vehemently objected to Chauhan presenting the budget, claiming that his two-and-a-half-year term ended last year and he was not constitutionally authorised to continue in office.
Constitutional Dispute Over Mayor's Tenure Extension
BJP councillors gathered near the mayor's seat, loudly declaring the budget presentation unconstitutional. They argued that even the ordinance passed by the state government last year, which related to the extension of the mayor's tenure up to five years, had lapsed. The saffron party councillors maintained that although the Himachal Pradesh assembly passed a bill on February 16 to extend the mayor's tenure to five years, it was yet to receive the governor's assent.
They insisted that in the absence of an official government notification, the extension was completely invalid. Furthermore, BJP councillors have challenged the extension of the mayor's tenure in the high court on the ground that it is now the turn of a woman councillor to become the mayor and that Chauhan is illegally continuing in the post. The case is scheduled to come up for hearing later this month.
Ruckus and Protests During Budget Speech
As soon as Mayor Surinder Chauhan began reading the budget speech at the Bachat Bhawan, BJP members created a significant ruckus, demanding concrete proof of the tenure extension. Despite repeated protests and intense sloganeering, the mayor continued his speech undeterred. Thereafter, the BJP councillors walked out in protest and later submitted a formal memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap, urging him to forward their objections to the state government.
Key Highlights of the Rs 688 Crore Shimla Municipal Budget
The Shimla municipal corporation budget outlines several progressive plans aimed at improving public amenities and creating employment opportunities. Notable proposals include:
- Providing sanitary napkins in all public toilets across the city to promote hygiene and accessibility.
- Setting up dedicated feeding rooms for breastfeeding mothers at prominent locations such as The Ridge and Mall Road.
- Allocating food vans at 26 designated locations to create self-employment opportunities for unemployed women and youth.
- Including a proposal to operate e-carts in Shimla's core areas to reduce pollution and enhance mobility.
- Developing improved parking facilities and parks in every ward of Shimla to address urban infrastructure needs.
The budget, while ambitious, remains mired in political controversy due to the ongoing dispute over the mayor's constitutional authority. The walkout by BJP councillors highlights the deepening political tensions within the Shimla Municipal Corporation, casting a shadow over the implementation of these welfare measures.
