Mumbai, Feb. 21 -- BJP corporator Prabhakar Shinde on Friday assumed office after being elected unopposed as chairman of the Standing Committee of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Shinde outlined a focused agenda centred on fiscal discipline, infrastructure upgrades, and improved civic delivery. Shinde's election created history, marking the first time a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) corporator will head the powerful Standing Committee, considered the most coveted position in Asia's richest municipal corporation. The panel plays a crucial role in scrutinising and approving the BMC's budget and expenditure. Shinde is a senior BJP corporator from Ward 106 (Mulund East) and is currently serving his fifth term in the civic body. In his inaugural address, Shinde paid tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, Balasaheb Thackeray and Anand Dighe. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, union home minister Amit Shah, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, along with other party leaders, for their support. He also expressed gratitude to mayor Ritu Tawde, deputy mayor Sanjay Ghadhi and fellow corporators for electing him to his post. Describing the Standing Committee as one of the civic body's most powerful arms, Shinde said it must ensure rigorous scrutiny of the BMC's state-sized budget, equitable fund allocation, and responsible spending of public money. He stressed that budgetary provisions must translate into timely execution. A key focus, he said, would be strengthening revenue. He flagged weak property tax collections hovering around 50% of targets and pointed to delays in bill dispatch, unresolved rateable value disputes and assessment lapses. He called for stricter vigilance audits, better staff training and improved taxpayer awareness. With the monsoon approaching, he stressed the need for timely drain desilting, manhole cleaning and public awareness to prevent garbage clogging. He proposed soak pits along roads to aid rainwater absorption and reduce flooding. Regarding infrastructure, he called for pothole repairs before the monsoon, asphalt for narrower roads and concrete surfacing with utility ducts for wider roads to prevent repeated digging. "Healthcare, waste management and water supply are going to be priority sectors," Shinde said. He proposed adding advanced medicines in civic hospitals, strengthening citizen participation under the Swachh Survekshan Abhiyan and making rainwater harvesting mandatory in municipal offices and housing societies. He also pushed for early completion of the Gargai dam project. He also flagged concerns over rising air pollution, shrinking green spaces and increasing fire incidents....