‘Cess building surveys are suspect’
A file photo of a building collapse in the city
Expressing concern over 37 deaths between 2008 and 2011 due to collapse of seven cessed buildings, the CAG has questioned the adequacy and integrity of surveys conducted by the Mumbai Building Repairs and Reconstruction Board (MBRRB) for ascertaining the old and distressed cessed buildings. The CAG has also lashed out against the BMC for non-collection of cess tax that has crippled the MBRRB’s ability to undertake increased repairs and reconstruction works. The CAG has asked the Maharashtra government to evolve a transparent policy and criteria for prioritising the repairs of cessed buildings.
“The adequacy and integrity of surveys conducted by the MBRRB for ascertaining the old and distressed cessed buildings requiring major repairs was suspect. There were 37 deaths and injury to 39 persons between 2008 and 2011 due to collapse of seven cessed buildings, even as these buildings were surveyed by the board. The MBRRB also did not have a prioritised list of cessed buildings that required immediate structural repairs as mandated by the Mhada Act,” the CAG has said in its performance audit report on functioning of the MBRRB tabled in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday.
“Audit scrutiny revealed that MBRRB was conducting survey of old and dilapidated buildings only by visual inspection to ascertain the distress/dangerous portion of the buildings. A cessed building is one that was built in the city before 1940,” the CAG has said.
In its defence, the MBRRB has told the CAG that most of the cessed buildings being composite and complex in nature, it was difficult to physically ascertain the deterioration or distress of structural members of the buildings. Therefore, there was no other option but to adopt the visual inspection methodology.
During exit conference with the CAG, the deputy chief engineer, MBRRB informed the CAG in October 2012 that non-cooperation by tenants, existence of false ceiling in the cessed buildings, location of cessed buildings in narrow lanes etc., were other practical reasons that confined the surveys to only visual inspection.
The CAG has also observed that the poor recovery of cess and service charges by the BMC had an impact on the finances of the MBRRB, thereby impeding its ability to carry out repairs and reconstruction works. At the end of March 2012, the arrears in collection of cess and short remittances by the BMC and the state government to the MBRRB was `907.81 crore. Structural repairs of 3,187 buildings, though identified, were not sanctioned due to fund constraints.
“Ensure that cess collected and remitted to the government by the BMC is full and prompt,” the report said.
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