Alleging graft in the saffron-ruled Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, the Congress and NCP sought investigation by Central agencies into various “corruption” cases of last decade.
While Congress Narayan Rane and others demanded the government give “voluntary retirement to those in power in BMC, dissolve the civic body and conduct a probe by CBI within next six months into the corruption charges”, NCP demanded a probe by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in the graft cases of last 10 years.
The BMC, being ruled by the Sena and BJP, is going to polls early next year.
Without taking name of BJP MP Kirit Somaiya, NCP MLC Kiran Pawaskar during his address said, “an MP had levelled allegations of corruption against top Sena leadership, their relatives and their private secretary in the cases of alleged corruption in the BMC.”
The mention of Sena leadership was vociferously contested by party member Anil Parab and others.
As the uproar continued in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, the Panel Chairman Niranjan Dawkhare adjourned the proceedings.
Initiating the debate on various issues facing Mumbai and the alleged corruption cases in BMC, Leader of Opposition Dhananjay Munde (NCP) said the ruling alliance in BMC did nothing except indulge in corruption.
“..How have the same tainted contractors got contracts for desilting of storm water drains and no action is taken against the blacklisted 24 contractors,” he questioned.
Munde demanded the government order a probe by the Frauds Wing of the Registrar of Companies against these 24 contractors.
“The government should order a probe by the CAG of India and ACB into the corruption. If the government does not believe in the allegations of the opposition, then at least take note of allegations levelled by BJP MP Kirit Somaiya,” he said.
Joining the debate, Rane said he wanted to know where the funds of Rs. 38,000 crore in BMC budget have gone, as citizens got only “potholed roads and crumbling civic infrastructure”.
“Why should Mumbaikars be walking on the pockmarked roads of Mumbai? The city has been destroyed by the nexus of civic officials, local police officials and political leaders,” he said.
Referring to the desilting of Mithi River in the city, Rane said no work has been done on this front for the last nine years.
“The sewerage system in suburbs is just 60 per cent (complete),” he said.
Referring to the water-logging in various areas in the city, Rane asked whether all pumping stations were fully operational or not.
