Eye on civic elections, corporators spend huge sums to advertise in audit magazines of Ganesh mandals
Eye on civic elections, corporators spend huge sums to advertise in audit magazines of Ganesh mandals
This year the Annual Audit Report (AAR) or statement of accounts of each registered Ganapati mandal is likely to be a thick magazine. For corporators in the city have decided to appease Lord Ganesha first, and through him his devotees. 
The Way to a devotees' heart: Corporators have found out that audit
magazines of Ganesh mandals are a good medium to campaign before
the municipal elections early next year. pics/krunal gosavi
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The compilation of data that is circulated in local wards has got tremendous response from local corporators, who have placed advertisements in these booklets to woo voters. And the Ganesh Mandals at the receiving end of this phenomenal munificence are not complaining.u00a0u00a0
According to the rule of the Charity Commissioner, each mandal has to submit the AAR every year. All the 4,000 Ganesh mandals will release their AAR and distribute it freely among those who contribute to the celebrations. A minimum of 1,000 copies are printed by each Ganapati mandal every year.
Pravin Chorbele, a member of the education board, PMC, who also runs the Matrupitru Trust had organised a competition for the best AAR report last year. He said he has a huge collection of over 300 Ganapati mandal's AAR last year and will be looking forward to the trend this year.
Mandals gain
"Municipal corporators are likely to get their photographs published in at least five AARs of mandals in each ward. The advertising rates range between Rs 5,000 and Rs 25,000. This time it is a big gain for the Ganesh mandals because many of these mandals are not collecting contributions, but rely solely on advertisement. An estimated Rs 7.2 lakh must have been spent for advertisement by these corporators this year," said Chorbele.
Anand Saraf, social activist and research scholar on Ganapati Utsav in the city, said: "Prior to the municipal election, the Ganesh mandals have got a boost from the local polticians. Ganapati Utsav is a forum to strengthen social and political leadership in the city. There is nothing wrong in using the AAR as a means of advertisement, as it has benefitted the mandals financially."
Corporatorspeak
Shiv Sena's Ashok Harnaval, corporator from Parvati Ward No 100, said, "I have helped 49 Ganapati mandals in my ward and have advertised with nine mandals which are close to me." Mayor Mohansingh Rajpal, Tilak Ayurved College Ward No 72, said, "I can never refuse mandals who approach me for advertisement. This year I have tried and helped all those who have come to me."
Award-winning mandals for the best Audit magazines in 2010
On behalf of Matru Pitru Trust, three Ganapati mandals have been given awards out of the total 300 for preparing the best AARs for 2010.
> First prize of Rs 5,101: Vinayak Mitra Mandal Trust
> Second prize of Rs 3,101: Sahajeevan Ganesh Utsav Mandal
> Third prize of Rs 2,101: Hinda Tarun Mandal
> Consolation prizs of Rs 1,101 each: Seva Mitra Mandal, Sainath Mandal Trust, Aranyeshwar Gavli Wada, Akhil Shahu Nagar and Shanwar Peth Mehunpura Mandal.
> Awards to be distributed on August 27 at Poona Merchant Chamber Auditorium
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Hindu Tarun Mandal: Virendra Kirad (Congress), Anil Shirole (BJP), Madhuri Misal (BJP)
Hinda Tarun Mandal: Shailesh Bidkar and Prasad Kedari (PCB)
Ahihil Mhasoba Mandal: Deepak Mankar (Congress), Rajendra Shinde
(Shiv Sena) and Sushila Netke (MNS)
Rs 7.2 L Estimated amount spent by corporators on advertisements in AARs of Ganesh mandals this year
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