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Corporators demand EOW probe into e-tendering scam

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Members of the standing committee on Wednesday demanded the civic body to file a complaint regarding the alleged Rs 100-crore e-tendering scam involving 16 civic engineers through economic offences wing (EOW) of the Mumbai police.

In its bid to end corporator-contractor nexus, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had in 2012 replaced the civic works contract (CWC) system with the e-tendering process. Under CWC, small jobs like maintenance of footpaths, street lights, road repair, etc. were carried out through corporators' fund, while e-tendering system involves online bidding for such works.

However, the e-tendering system, which was believed to be more efficient, has come under a cloud, with some corporators alleging that it was rigged by engineers attached to nine wards to the tune of Rs100 crore.

Under the e-tendering system, online bid are accepted for three days for works up to Rs3 lakh. In case of higher value, the time period to accept responses is seven days. In order to favour certain contractors, corporators alleged, the engineers concerned would open sites for a transit period and block it. Such practices have been followed in connection with works costing Rs 100-crore.

In a confidential report, BMC's test auditor vigilance (TAV) had recommended suspension of these engineers.

Standing committee members have now demanded an EOW probe into the matter on the grounds that an internal investigation has no meaning. The EOW entertains complaints regarding allegations of embezzlement to the tune of over Rs 50 lakh.

"This is a nexus involving officials from civic engineers up to the municipal commissioner (Sitaram Kunte). Hence, there is no point in carrying out enquiry at the BMC-level. Given the huge money at stake, the issue must be looked into by EOW," insisted Sandeep Deshpande, MNS group leader, after House leader Trushna Vishwasrao raised a point of order over the issue.

BJP corporator Ameet Satam held Additional Municipal Commissioner Rajiv Jalota for the situation. "Jalota has been the man who has influenced Kunte to execute the e-tendering system. Jalota must be taken to task," Satam demanded.

Responding to the objections raised by the corporators, committee chairman Yashodhar Phanase instructed municipal administration to submit a report in this regard within two weeks.
Meanwhile, Jalota could not be reached for his version.

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