The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has forwarded a legal notice to Mumbai Slum Improvement Committee (Unit of MHADA) demanding an explanation for lying to BMC official pertaining to illegal construction by Shiv Sena MLA Sunil Raut. Mumbai Slum Improvement Committee (MSIC) official Chikshe had blatantly lied to BMC S-ward official claiming that Raut is not carrying out any illegal construction. The civic body has sought explanation from MSIC authority and asked why any action is not been taken against Chikshe. This incident only highlights the alleged nexus between politicians and Mumbai Slum Improvement Com-mittee officials.
RTI activist Manish Kotian has forwarded a complaint to MHADA mentioning about the illegal use of MLA fund by Shiv Sena MLA for his personal gains. He said, “MHADA had allotted Rs 23, 96, 720 for the beautification of a garden at Datar Colony, Kanjurmarg (E). Instead of using the funds for this purpose, Sunil Raut is constructing a marriage hall at a playground at Datar Colony, Kanjurmarg (East).”
“Few BMC officials and MHADA officials are supporting Raut for his personal gains. The tax payers’ money is being misused due to the greed of Raut, BMC and MHADA officials,” he added.
After conducting an inspection, BMC S-ward official had declared it illegal. On February 22, 2018 BMC official had also issued demolition notice of the marriage hall under section 354-A of the BMC Act.
On February 24, 2018, assistant commissioner, S-ward BMC had issued a notice to executive engineer, deputy chief engineer, chief engineer and chief officer of MHADA demanding an explanation from officials. BMC has also forwarded a letter to deputy commissioner of police, zone 7, of Mumbai police.
When AV spoke to Shiv Sena MLA Sunil Raut, he said that all the allegations made against him are baseless as he has received work order from MHADA authorities. “We received request from Kanjur Co-operative Housing Society regarding constructing toilet and seating bench for senior citizens. So after receiving the MHADA work order and NOC from the housing society, how can the construction be termed as illegal? Some people are making false allegations and misusing RTI for their personal benefits.”
As per the notice, an illegal construction was occurring at Kanjur Co-operative Housing Society, Kanjurmarg (east) on an open ground. After receiving complaint by local resident Manish Kotian, the BMC official visited the spot and issued stop work notice. On the next day, Kanjurmarg Co-op Housing Society submitted documents about the construction. The documents specified that on August 21, 2017 MSIC had issued a work order for beautification of garden at Datar colony and not construction of marriage hall. On February 22, 2018, when BMC officer contacted MSIC branch engineer Chikshe, he claimed that the construction work was being carried out by Mumbai Slum Improvement Committee.
When we tried to contact Chikshe he said, “I am unaware about this matter and don’t want to comment anything about it.”
BMC clarified that MSIC has issued the work order for beautification of garden and not the construction of a marriage hall. Moreover, the civic body has neither issued any NOC for beautification of garden nor construction of a marriage hall.
