Although elected councillors of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) do not draw a formal salary, the civic body spent ₹10.88 crore on honorariums and allowances for them over the past three years, according to official records.
The expenditure includes fixed monthly honorariums, telephone and stationery allowances, as well as payments for attending meetings of the General Board, Standing Committee and various special committees. These payments are made from municipal funds generated through taxes collected from citizens.
Even councillors who are not members of any committee receive a minimum monthly payment of ₹15,000 under the existing system.
10.88 Crore Paid Over Three Years
Official data shows that AMC disbursed a total of ₹10.88 crore to elected representatives in the form of honorariums and allowances during the last three years.
The amount reflects direct payments made to councillors. However, it does not include additional facilities provided to them while performing official duties.
For instance, expenses incurred on amenities such as mineral water bottles supplied during meetings, official functions and at municipal offices are accounted for separately and are not included in the ₹10.88 crore figure.
Debate Over Public Service and Wealth Accumulation
The figures are likely to revive public discussion over the financial benefits associated with elected office.
While politics is often viewed as a platform for public service, it is common to see many politicians acquire significant assets, including properties and luxury vehicles, during their tenure. Asset declarations filed by several elected representatives often show wealth running into crores of rupees.
In this context, the AMC data raises a question frequently debated among citizens: if the officially disclosed payments to councillors are relatively modest, how do many public representatives report substantial increases in wealth during a single five-year term?
While the expenditure records do not provide an answer, they highlight the contrast between the official compensation paid by the civic body and the considerable assets often declared by elected representatives.