The urban development department of the state government has taken a serious view of allegations of corruption in the smart city works in Pimpri-Chinchwad. The urban development department of the state government has taken a serious view of allegations of corruption in the smart city works in Pimpri-Chinchwad. It has sought full details of the works being implemented and explanations regarding the allegations levelled by BJP corporators and Shiv Sena leaders.
Revealing that UDD had asked for details, Municipal Commissio-ner Rajesh Patil on Monday said: “After the state government had sought detailed information about the smart city works and related things, they have been provided the complete details. The information was sent to the government four days ago.” The civic chief said: “In a democracy, everyone has the right to make point or make their allegations. There are two sides to a coin. We need to look at both the sides. We are investigating the allegations. If anyone is found wrong or guilty, we will take action in the matter.”
BJP corporators Seema Savale and Asha Shendge had first raised the issue of corruption in the smart city works. Savale said, “I had been demanding a hearing from the civic administration for a year. However, only recently they gave me a hearing wherein it was pointed out how the smart city works were being implemented without following the norms. One of the allegations I made related to lack of technical sanction for a Rs 250-crore project allotted to a private party.” After Savale, Shiv Sena leaders like Sulbha Ubale, too, alleged a Rs 500-crore scam in smart city works. Last month, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut had asked BJP “crusader” Kirit Somaiyya to take up the allegations of multi-crore scam with ED and CBI.
Meanwhile, a drive will be conducted from November 1 to November 30 to register voters who have turned 18, said Patil. “Those youngsters who are 18 years or older on January 1, 2022 will be able to register themselves as voters from November 1 to November 30,” he said. The new voters can also register their names on ceo.maharashtra.govt.in.
Election officials said several voters believe that if they possess the voter id card, they are eligible to vote. However, it is important that the voters should have their names in the voters list. Therefore, all voters should check the voters list and request for correction, if any, through an application. The application for voter registration is available at all civic offices, said the officials. As for Covid-19 vaccinations, the PCMC chief said: “Nearly 85 per cent of the citizens have received their first dose while 45 per cent of them have received their second dose…”
- The Indian Express website has been rated GREEN for its credibility and trustworthiness by Newsguard, a global service that rates news sources for their journalistic standards.
