'Clash of interest' in BMC's beach cleaning work?

MUMBAI: A proposal by BMC to appoint a contractor to clean the 4.5km stretch of beach between Dadar and Mahim at an estimated Rs 11.66 crore drew the ire of corporators at the standing committee meeting on Friday.

Shiv Sena corporator from Mahim Milind Vaidya said the contract is proposed to be given to a contractor whose father works in BMC. The contract has been won by the firm, Coastal Clear Enviro. One of its partners, Abhijit Godse, is a deputy civic hydraulic engineer's son. "How fair is this..." said Vaidya.

BMC officials said they had sought legal opinion on the issue and were told that it should not matter as his father is in another department. Opposition leader Ravi Raja said it is "complete conflict of interest".

Despite the resistance, the proposal was cleared by the chairman of the civic standing committee.