There are many misconceptions among people regarding the salaries of the BMC Mayor and corporators. Do mayors really earn more than corporators? Let's find out.

The Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), considered one of the richest municipal corporations in the country, has led to a common perception among the public that its elected representatives receive very high salaries. It is especially believed that the BMC Mayor receives a salary of lakhs of rupees per month. However, the reality is quite different.

How much does the BMC Mayor earn?

First, let's talk about the BMC Mayor. The Mayor does not receive a fixed salary like a government officer. They receive an honorarium every month. This honorarium is approximately Rs. 6,000 per month, which seems quite low, but the Mayor's total income is not limited to this amount. They also receive various allowances based on different official meetings, programs, and responsibilities. Including all these, the Mayor's average monthly income reaches around Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 55,000.  Based on this, the BMC Mayor's annual income is approximately between Rs. 6 and 6.5 lakhs.

Even though the Mayor's salary may not be very high, they are provided with several important government facilities. These include government accommodation, a government vehicle, a driver, security, and staff. In addition, expenses for official tours and programs are also covered by the government.

What about the income of BMC corporators?

BMC corporators also receive an honorarium, not a salary. In 2017, considering the rising inflation and workload, the honorarium of the corporators was increased. After this, the monthly honorarium for corporators was fixed at Rs. 25,000. However, the total income of the corporators does not end there. Their income depends on how active they are in municipal council meetings.

Councillors' earnings increase with meeting attendance

Councillors who regularly attend general assembly, standing committee, and other committee meetings receive an additional allowance. This increases their total monthly income. Those who attend fewer meetings or do not play an active role do not receive this additional payment.

From a purely financial perspective, the total income of an active councillor can sometimes be equal to or even slightly higher than that of the mayor. However, in terms of position and responsibility, the mayor's role is far more important. The mayor represents the entire municipal corporation and plays a key role in major decision-making.