Every official from the building proposal department is involved in the corruption racket. First the file is submitted to the sub-engineer, then it moves to the assistant engineer, after that, the executive engineer to deputy chief engineer, and finally to chief engineer of the department.
Without greasing the palms of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation officials, project proposal files does not move. Each table has got its own rate card that range from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh for the development of 500 sq m plot in Mumbai.
Sources says developers/promoters pay between Rs1100-Rs 1500 per sq ft to get approvals. "Every official from the building proposal department is involved in the corruption racket. First the file is submitted to the sub-engineer, then it moves to the assistant engineer, after that, the executive engineer to deputy chief engineer, and finally to chief engineer of the department. Every table needs to be weighted with Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh as a kickback paid in gold coins or cash or foreign tours. If the development proposal area is more than the 500 sq metre, then the rate is double," said a source.
Kickbacks are not only paid for turning illegal work to legal but also for legal work. "Many officials sit on the files for an uncertain period. Developers raise the money at high interest rate from the market and delays pinch promoters badly. Therefore, we some times pay the bribe to officials just to approve the legal work on time. We are victims of the system," a developer from South Mumbai said.
For repairs and renovations, the ward offices are important. "In each ward, mukadam are appointed to inspect and inform the junior engineer of the renovations of a particular building. Mukadam are eyes and ears of the BMC. It is their duty to inform the junior engineer and junior has to apprise the designated officer.
The designated officer makes the files and presents it before the assistant municipal commissioner either for action or approval. If some illegal construction is going on in any area and has not been stopped by the BMC, it means that the BMC officials have been paid to turn a blind eye," said deputy municipal commissioner requesting anonymity.
"Without the approval of the designated officials and ward officials, nothing can be done. Corporators are also part of the syndicate," said a senior BMC official.
Rate card
In renovations cases, the mukadam gets paid Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 for not reporting the renovation work to junior engineer.
Junior engineer gets Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh for not reporting to designated official of the civic ward.
Assistant Municipal commissioner gets Rs 2 lakh to Rs 10 lakh for not taking the actions against the illegal renovations and additions and alternations.
The local BMC corporator gets Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh for not raising the unauthorised renovations in the civic meetings.
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