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Mumbai: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress have demanded for white paper, alleging that there were many irregularities committed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for Covid-19 pandemic related works and expenses. Following which, Standing Committee chairman Yashwant Jadhav directed the BMC administration to present a detailed report of all the expenses incurred.
The Corporators claimed that so far, the BMC has spent more than Rs 4,700 crore on Covid-19 related arrangements. However, the civic administration has failed to give detailed report on the expenditure incurred.
Raising the issue in the virtual meeting BJP corporator, Bhalchandra Shirsat demanded that a White Paper on the expenses incurred during Covid be brought out.
“During the Covid-19 pandemic special powers were given to the civic administration for purchase and works related to combatting the Coronavirus. Administration is awarding contracts without taking approval from the Standing Committee. The BMC should submit a White Paper on the overall expenditure on Covid-19 related works,” demanded BJP corporator Bhalchandra Shirsat.
Opposition leader Ravi Raja also accused the civic administration of making procurement at inflated rates and demanded a detailed audit from the Municipal Audit Department.
“Taking advantage of the pandemic civic body has made purchases at inflated rates. We appreciate the overall work done by BMC to tackle the crisis. But there should be transparency in the expenditure,” remarked Ravi Raja.
He also alleged that the BMC administration has failed to present documents of expenditure made for food distribution to migrant workers and homeless during lockdown. “The Planning Department has failed to submit documents for its expenses on food distribution. I expect some reports on this in the next couple of weeks,” he said.
