Ahead of Lok Sabha election code of conduct, the standing committee members of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in a meeting held on Friday approved proposals worth Rs 1010 crore in haste. Except for a couple of proposals, members of the committee did not show interest to discuss on important proposals tabled. Out of 64 proposals listed for discussions, 62 were cleared in less than 30 minutes.
Important proposals that were approved include Rs 422 crore reconstruction of Shatabdi Hospital in Govandi, Rs 122 SAP system for BMC administrative works, Rs 20.93 crore for development of women hostel in Goregaon among others.
Earlier this week, the standing committee in a similar fashion approved over 60 proposals worth Rs 550 crore. The committee spent less than a single minute while clearing the proposal. So far, three committee meeting held in a fortnight cleared proposals worth Rs 2300 crore without much discussion.
Even in the last meet held on Tuesday, proposals like desilting of nullah, cleaning stormwater drains, garden development works were cleared in the same way.
Normally, the civic standing committee meeting is held once a week. However, this week two meetings have already been held and there is a possibility that a third meet can be held on Saturday and proposals worth Rs 400 to 500 will be tabled.
Ravi Raja, Congress corporator and leader of opposition said that all proposals were passed in haste. "All proposals will remain in papers as no one knows the details since there was no discussion," said Raja. He added that the committee is working in the interest of contractor not for common people.
Normally, the committee meeting which is held every week gets up to 30 to 35 proposals for approvals. However, the three committee meetings saw more than 60 proposals listed.
In just 15 days, proposals worth Rs 2300 crore was passed in hardly two hours time. According to an official from the municipal secretary, one more meeting is likely to be held on Saturday. "Once the date of Lok Sabha election is declared, the committee cannot pass any more proposals," said the official. The election date for Lok Sabha is likely to be announced on Saturday afternoon.
James John, a coordinator with Action for good Governance and Networking in India (AGNI) said that this is a loot of public money. "All the proposals have a deadline. Imagine what would be the condition if all this work starts together. Works include road, sewage, stormwater drain and many more," added John.