Cong-NCP legislators demand dissolution of BMC amid din

A vociferous Congress-NCP led Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council today demanded dissolution of the Shiv Sena-BJP ruled Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) over alleged irregularities in awarding work contracts.
Senior NCP member Sunil Tatkare demanded Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe and a special audit by Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) into the contracts awarded for desilting of storm water drains, road signals, junction repairs, road repairs and disposal of debris.
As the opposition continued to press for its demands, Council Chairman Ramraje Nimbalkar ruled that he was withholding the question raised by Sharad Ranpise (Congress) and others.
Nimbalkar also directed Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to make a detailed statement on the question.

The debate over the question led to heated exchange between Congress and Shiv Sena as Minister for Environment Ramdas Kadam (Sena) objected to Ranpise's attempt to quote BMC Mayor's (Snehal Ambekar) remarks (as told by her in an recent interview) that civic body officials reportedly indulged in getting some percentage (share) in awarding of BMC contracts.
Raising a supplementary query, Ranpise referred to section 520 (D) of BMC Act, 1888, which was amended in 1998, that provides for dissolution of BMC if gross irregularities are detected.

Replying to the debate, Minister of State for Urban Development Ranjit Patil said, "Probe in some contracts is over while in some contracts, it is in final stages. Samples have been taken and reports are awaited."

He said 13 civic employees have been suspended and cases have been marked for further probe to Economic Offence Wing (EOW).
Replying to queries over irregularities found in road
construction raised by Sanjay Dutt (Congress), Patil said irregularities were found in 34 road repair works, executed by one Ms SGF.
"Irregularities like missing second layer topping in the roads have been detected. The final report is awaited," he said.
Replying to another query by Kiran Pawaskar (NCP) over irregularities in desilting of storm water drains, the minister said out of the Rs 197.54 crore worth works, irregularities worth Rs 98.72 crore have been detected.

To a query regarding irregularities in purchase of Anesthesia machines raised by Prakash Binsale (NCP), Patil said contracts worth Rs 16.02 crore out of Rs 200 crore have been disbursed.
He added that orders have been issued to recover the disbursed amount.
Raising a supplementary query, Tatkare said the government has admitted to corruption having taken place in the contracts.
He further remarked that Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar has termed the corruption case as "tip of the iceberg".
In his response, Patil said the BMC Municipal Commissioner was the competent authority to conduct the probe and that it was done in an unbiased manner.

As the Opposition continued to demand an SIT probe, special audit by CAG and dissolution of BMC, the Chairman adjourned the proceedings for five minutes.
Later, as the House reassembled and opposition continued raising their demands, Nimbalkar ruled that he was withholding the question.