BJP leader MLA Adv. Ashish Shelar welcomes inquiry by special CAG into the Rs 12,000 crore contracts awarded by the BMC

Inquiry by CAG of those who benefitted themselves even during Corona pandemic is absolutely OK

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Mumbai: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Mumbai unit president Adv Ashish Shelar on Monday welcomed the decision of the state government in instituting an inquiry through special Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) into the 12,000-crore contracts awarded by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in Mumbai.

Reacting to the state government’s decision, the BJP leader stated that these people had already benefited themselves during the Corona pandemic period and hence this inquiry through CAG against them is absolutely ok. While talking to media persons at the Mumbai BJP office, MLA Adv. Ashish Shelar welcomed Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s decision of setting up an inquiry into the corruption by the BMC. 

Commenting further, Shelar said “we have been consistently pointing out that there has always been misappropriation, misbehaviour and corruption in the BMC. It was necessary to end it. We had raised this issue even when the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly session was on. At that time, responding to it, deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had assured Maharashtra that a special audit will be conducted in this regard. Now the Chief Minister has issued orders in this regard. There are issues regarding the contracts totalling Rs 12,013 crore awarded from 10 different departments during the period November 28, 2019 to February 28, 2022. During this period while Mumbaikars were reeling under crisis and trying to survive, the people in power were concerned about securing their commissions from various contractors”. 

The Mumbai BJP president further remarked “Purchases made during Corona period worth Rs 3,538 crore needs to be investigated. How much money was paid to that Ajmera contractor in the acquisition of the plot taken for the benefit of the people? The plot of land valued at Rs 339 crore was bought by Ajmera contractor for Rs 2 to 2.5 crore. On one side, a plot of land sold for Rs. 2.5 crore and the same plot was procured by the BMC for Rs. 339 crores. Four bridges were constructed during this period. Rs 1,496 crore for construction of four bridges? Absolutely unlimited expenditures have been incurred”. 

“During the Corona period, the hospital essentials were purchased for Rs. 904 crores… Rs.3,538 crore worth central procurements and Rs. 904 crore purchase of hospital requirements altogether totalling to nearly Rs 4,000 crore to Rs 4,500 crore worth purchases…. Bogus Contractors and firms, just one contractor and people from the same family were getting contracts ensuring that all the benefits get pocketed”, remarked Shelar. 

Shelar further stated that during monsoon repairs were carried out on 56 roads for Rs 2,200 crore, but still Mumbaikars had to dodge their vehicles through potholes. This also needs to be investigated.

The waste water treatment projects haven’t commenced as yet still Rs.1,049 crores were spent on it. Rs. 1,186 crores spent on three sewage treatment plants. They did not stop making money even from the garbage. The Deonar dumping project is yet to start but they still claim to have spent Rs. 1024 crore. 

Investigations will be held for contracts awarded during the period from November 28, 2019 to February 28, 2022. In a sharp criticism against these people, MLA Adv. Ashish Shelar said, “Inquiry against those who tried to benefit even during the Corona period is absolutely OK.”

The BJP has demanded that the truth must come before the public in the case of embezzlement of Rs. 12,000 crores in the BMC. The faces of these fraudsters must be exposed within a month.