The issue of alleged scams in the purchase of street furniture in BMC is gaining momentum. Aditya Thackeray has written a letter to BMC Commissioner IS Chahal asking 5 questions. Aditya has warned that if the questions are not answered directly, then the privilege of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly will be used in the interest of the state.
BMC had recently issued a tender worth Rs 263 crore for installing street furniture in Mumbai. After this, Aditya alleged that there was a large-scale scam in this. This issue echoed in the Legislature session as well. He said that with the connivance of BMC officials and contractors, their own pockets are being filled with the money of Mumbaikars. Rs 100 crore should have been spent on street furniture, which has increased to Rs 263 crore.
Aditya Thackeray has already written a letter to BMC Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal regarding the street furniture scam. Aditya had then asked in the letter whether the street furniture was being installed with the money of Mumbaikars for their betterment. In the letter, Aditya said that he has received information that corruption worth crores of rupees has taken place due to the connivance of an MLA of the ruling party, a BMC officer and a contractor. BMC has benefited the contractor through tender. This entire matter should be investigated. Recently, BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha also held a press conference on this issue and alleged a scam in it. This tender has been canceled after allegations of corruption.
Aditya’s 5 questions to the commissioner
1. In reply to my old letter, you said that all the rates of street furniture have been fixed by the Competitive Authority, that is, you have fixed them. If you signed this file, are you ready to face scrutiny?
2. What is the mode of investigation for the street furniture scam? Is this investigation being done internally by BMC officials, or is it being done by an external agency?
3. The Deputy Commissioner, whose department started this tender process and is still answering my questions. Will there be a departmental inquiry against him?
4. Those who have provided information on the rate of purchase of street furniture, are they part of this investigation?
5. Is the Assistant Commissioner part of the inquiry as a part of the committee?