Sanjay Nirupam says that Ajoy Mehta does not have any right to continue in the position of BMC Commissioner until his name is cleared of corruption charges.
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner Ajoy Mehta is in deep trouble after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered for a preliminary inquiry into some of the decisions taken by him during his tenure as managing director of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd. (MSEDCL). MRCC President Sanjay Nirupam said that Mehta does not have any right to continue in the position of BMC Commissioner until his name is cleared of corruption charges.
Nirupam demanded Mehta’s resignation and said, “The state government must take action against Mehta if he is found guilty. Moreover, the government must remove him from the post of the city’s municipal commissioner.”
“There has been alleged irregularities in awarding tenders for the road construction work, sewage cleaning, tablet purchasing. The government must call for probe for ascertaining the truth. When an inquiry has been ordered against Mehta how he can call for a probe into the corruption activities of BMC,” added Nirupam.
Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil had alleged, “During Mehta’s tenure, he cleared tenders worth Rs 4,372 crore in a day. The tenders were cleared by changing the tender conditions at the company level.” Mr Vikhe-Patil also said he had the documents to prove his allegations. “The government should initiate an enquiry against Mehta,” said Mr Vikhe Patil.
Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar said, “The distribution company has bought over 2 lakh electricity metres for domestic user of which most of them were faulty. Mehta during his tenure as MD of the company, went on foreign trips for 10 times without the government permission, which is necessary,” said Wadettiwar.
Another Congress legislator Sunil Kedar also demanded an enquiry into the issue. “The government should set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to enquire the matter. The energy minister should announce the same in the House,” said Mr Kedar.
Energy minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, while replying on the issues, refuted to set up Special Investigation Team (SIT) for enquiry and said, “The state will undertake preliminary inquiries into the allegations. And if needed, then we will decide about further inquiry. The report of the preliminary inquiry will be submitted in three months,” Bawankule said, adding that, “Although there are complaints against Mehta, he has done good job as MD of the MSEDCL.”
