BJP councillors walk out of Shimla MC session as Mayor presents budget 

The budget session of the Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC) began on a stormy note after BJP councillors objected to Mayor Surinder Chauhan presenting the budget, claiming he is not constitutionally authorised to do so as the government has not yet issued a notification extending his term.

Raising slogans against the Mayor and the proposed budget, the BJP councillors said they do not accept the budget as valid and demanded his resignation on moral grounds. They later walked out of the session as the Mayor began delivering his budget speech.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines, BJP councillors stated, “As per the reservation roster, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor in Shimla are appointed for a tenure of two and a half years. According to the roster, the Mayor’s post is technically vacant. Since his extension has not been officially notified, he does not have the authority to present the budget.”

The councillors also alleged that none of their development works were being executed. Questioning the financial position of the civic body, they said, “On what basis is the Mayor presenting the budget when the corporation is already in debt and has no substantial revenue sources?”