The civic standing committee on Wednesday was rocked by allegations of an organised racket behind files going missing from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Turing down the administration’s proposal of a departmental inquiry, the corporators demanded a CID inquiry into the matter.
In the last few years, as many as 9,436 files have gone missing from the civic building proposal (BP) department. The issue was raised in the standing committee, in which corporators alleged that civic officials and builders are hand-in-glove in this. Alleging that the builders’ lobby was eyeing plots in the city, the corporators demanded that the matter be thoroughly probed by the CID.
MNS group leader Dilip Lande said, “Only files in the western suburbs, where land prices are soaring, have gone missing. Important files are being photocopied for the benefit of builders. Officials are also threatened to pass the proposals.”
Shiv Sena corporator and former mayor Shubha Raul emphasised the need of CCTVs in the civic body. “CCTVs should be installed in all civic departments to identify who comes there and who handles these files,” she said.
House leader Yashodhar Phanse said, “Along with the BP department, the BMC should also take stock of files in estate department as there are civic properties worth `3 lakh crore in the city.”
Replying to this, additional municipal commissioner Mohan Adtani said that the civic body had the provision of fixing the responsibility and taking disciplinary action like suspension of guilty officials in this case. “We can fine `10,000 and also file FIR against the offending officials. However, the sentence is to be decided by the court,” he said, adding, “We have instructed all departments to take necessary action in the missing files case.”
However, objecting to this, standing committee chairman Rahul Shewale said there couldn’t be an impartial inquiry in this matter as civic officials themselves and builders are involved in this. The inquiry should be done by a third party. He also adjourned the standing committee meeting on this issue.